Definition

Adjective: Surpassing any previously established record; achieving a level or amount higher, lower, faster, slower, etc., than has ever been officially recorded before.

Usage

This adjective is used to describe an event, achievement, amount, or performance that exceeds all previous known records. It typically comes before a noun. * It is used to emphasize the exceptional and historic nature of the achievement. * It often appears in news, sports, and business contexts.

Examples

• The athlete's record-breaking performance earned her a gold medal.
• The company announced record-breaking profits for the third quarter.
• We are experiencing a record-breaking heatwave this summer.
• The film's opening weekend was a record-breaking success.

Advanced Usage

• Hyphenation: The term is almost always hyphenated when used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., a record-breaking jump). It may sometimes be seen without a hyphen in more informal contexts or after a verb (e.g., "The jump was record breaking"), but hyphenation is standard.
• Emphatic Synonyms: Can be intensified with adverbs like "truly," "absolutely," or "potentially."

Variants and Related Words

• Record (n.): The best officially documented performance or achievement.
• Record (v.): To set or establish a new record.
• Record-setter (n.): A person or thing that sets a new record.
• Unprecedented (adj.): Never done or known before; similar in meaning but not necessarily connected to a formal "record."

Synonyms

• Unprecedented
• Historic
• All-time high/low
• Best-ever
• Unparalleled (in recorded history)

Antonyms

• Average
• Ordinary
• Unremarkable
• Mediocre

Related Phrases

• To break a record: The verbal phrase from which the adjective is derived.
  • She aims to break the world record.
• To set a new record: To establish a new benchmark.
  • The sales figures have set a new record.

Adjective

1. surpassing any previously established record
   • a record-breaking high jump
   • record-breaking crowds