Other forms: breakaways
A breakaway is a small group that pulls clear of the bunch. Join the breakaway, the breakaway held, a breakaway group.
In cycling it is the riders who go clear of the peloton, and whether they stay away depends entirely on whether the bunch decides to chase — a breakaway succeeds by permission as much as by strength. Figuratively it means a splinter group: a breakaway party, a breakaway league. Note break away as the verb, two words.
1nounbreakawayA small group that pulls clear of the bunch.
“A small breakaway attacked on the final climb and stayed ahead of the main pack.”
2nounsplinterA splinter group.
“A breakaway from the union formed its own smaller organisation.”
breakaway is a group pulling clear.
Break plus away, made as a noun from the phrasal verb break away. English forms nouns this way constantly, and the cycling sense is a specialisation.
From break + away, a a deverbal from break away.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA
Practised in Cycling