giving way

Verb

give way (third-person singular simple present gives way, present participle giving way, simple past gave way, past participle given way)

1. To yield to persistent persuasion.
   • The mother gave way to her crying child.

   Synonyms:

   accede

2. To collapse or break under physical stresses.
   • After years of neglect, the rusty old bridge could give way at any time.
3. To be followed, succeeded, or replaced by.
   • Winter gave way to spring.
4. To give precedence to other road users.
   • At the crossing, cars must give way to pedestrians.

   Synonyms:

   come around, concede

5. To allow another person to intervene to make a point or ask a question whilst one is delivering a speech.
   • "Yes, I will give way."
6. To allow the expression of (a pent-up emotion, grief, etc.).
   • Seeing my eye fixed upon him, he went outside to give way to his grief in the passage.1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC

See all 7 meanings of give way