Break of structure
A break of structure (BOS) is when price closes beyond a prior swing high or low, continuing the existing trend direction — a higher high in an uptrend, or a lower low in a downtrend.
A break of structure marks trend continuation. In an uptrend, price taking out the previous swing high is a bullish BOS; in a downtrend, taking out the previous swing low is a bearish BOS. It confirms that the prevailing direction has extended.
The common disagreement is whether a break requires a candle close beyond the level or merely a wick through it. Close-based definitions produce fewer, slower signals; wick-based definitions produce more, earlier, and noisier ones. Neither is correct in the abstract — but choosing one after seeing the chart is how a rule quietly becomes a rationalisation.
A BOS is a label for something that has already happened. It carries no inherent edge on its own; whatever edge exists comes from what you do with the information and how consistently you apply it.
Related terms
Maintained by Jared Sinclair, Founder · Syrax Global FZCO · Definitions are educational, not financial advice.
Knowing the vocabulary is the easy part.
Every term here can be learned in an afternoon. Applying them consistently under pressure is the part that decides outcomes — and the part we measure.