hull breach

Meanings

1. 1nouncountabletechnical

   A break or hole in the outer body of a ship, submarine, or spacecraft that lets water or air escape.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a hull breach' or 'two hull breaches.' Often used with 'suffer' or 'cause.'

   Patterns

   • suffer a hull breach
   • cause a hull breach
   • a hull breach in something

   The submarine suffered a hull breach at 300 meters and began taking on water.

   In the movie, a hull breach in the spacecraft forces the crew to seal off the damaged section.

   Engineers inspect the hull regularly to prevent a hull breach during deep dives.

2. 2nouncountablefigurative

   A serious failure or breakdown in a system, organization, or plan that lets something harmful in or out.

   Grammar: Figurative use. Countable, often followed by 'in' to name the system.

   Patterns

   • a hull breach in something
   • suffer a hull breach
   • cause a hull breach

   The scandal was a hull breach in the company's reputation that took years to repair.

   The new policy created a hull breach in the security of the voting system.

   Critics described the budget cuts as a hull breach in the social safety net.

Word forms

Common combinations

suffer a hull breach

The old ferry suffered a hull breach after hitting rocks.

seal a hull breach

The crew worked quickly to seal the hull breach before the water rose higher.

a hull breach in the spacecraft

A hull breach in the spacecraft's cargo bay triggered the emergency alarm.

cause a hull breach

Even a small collision can cause a hull breach in a submarine.

Synonyms and how they differ

leak

A leak is a small hole or crack where liquid or gas escapes; a hull breach is usually larger and more dangerous.

puncture

A puncture is a small hole made by a sharp object; a hull breach can be any size and often implies structural failure.

Word family

breach noun

A gap or break in something, or a failure to follow a rule.

breach verb

To make a hole in something or to break a rule.

Commonly confused: hull breach or breech?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “hull breach”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words