Breakaway

Full definition of breakaway

Adjective

1. Having broken away from a larger unit.The breakaway republic is slowly establishing order and civil society.
2. Capable of breaking off without damaging the larger structure.a breakaway wall

Noun

1. (cycling) A group of riders which has gone ahead of the peloton.
• 2012, July 15. Richard Williams in Guardian Unlimited, Tour de France 2012: Carpet tacks cannot force Bradley Wiggins off trackThe summit of the climb came 38km from the end of stage 14, which began in Limoux and ended in Foix in the foothills of the Pyrenees, and the incident occurred as the peloton emerged into the light and passed under the banner at the top, a quarter of an hour behind a five-man breakaway.
2. (ice hockey) A situation in the game where one or more players of a team attack towards the goal of the other team without having any defenders in front of them.