This is the 9369th most frequent Japanese word.
破
"破" means "to break," "destroy," or "ruin."
破 as 'to break' refers to disrupting or violating a convention or tradition in this case.
彼は伝統を破った。
He broke the tradition.
破 as 'to tear' describes physical damage or tearing of the wall.
その建物の壁が破れた。
The wall of the building was torn.
破 as 'to be destroyed' implies the rupture or end of a relationship or communication.