give way

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.

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.

5. To allow another person to intervene to make a point or ask a question whilst one is delivering a speech.
6. (chiefly imperative, as command to the crew) To begin rowing.

• (yield to persistent persuasion): accede, come around, concede; See also Thesaurus:accede

• give way sign

• make way