The effect of wave breaking on the probability function of surface elevation is examined. The surface elevation limited by wave breaking &zgr;b(t) is first related to the original wave elevation &zgr;(t) and its second derivative &zgr;¿(t). An approximate, second-order, nonlinear, non-Gaussian model for &zgr;(t) of arbitrary but moderate bandwidth is presented, and an expression for the probability density function fb( ) of &zgr;b(t) is derived. The results show clearly that the effect of wave breaking on the probability density function of surface elevation is to introduce a secondary hump on the positive side of the probability density function, a phenomenon also observed in wind wave tank experiments. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1989