breakdown

American  

[breyk-doun] / ˈbreɪkˌdaʊn /

noun

1. a breaking down, wearing out, or sudden loss of ability to function efficiently, as of a machine.

2. a loss of mental or physical health; collapse.

3. an analysis or classification of something; division into parts, categories, processes, etc.

4. Chemistry.

   1. decomposition.

   2. analysis.

5. Electricity. an electric discharge passing through faulty insulation or other material used to separate circuits or passing between electrodes in a vacuum or gas-filled tube.

6. a noisy, lively folk dance.

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Etymology

Origin of breakdown

First recorded in 1825–35; noun use of verb phrase break down

Example Sentences

Piker called this series The Breakdown, and it became a surprise hit on Facebook, with some videos scoring more than 100 million views.

From Slate • Feb. 18, 2025

Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson advised delaying Thursday journeys until late evening, and setting off as early as possible on Good Friday.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2024

Famed for being rugby’s greatest ad-libbers, Fiji put the razzle-dazzle away and won in a very un-Fijian traditional way: Breakdown domination, brick-wall defense, and relentless commitment for 80 minutes.

From Washington Times • Sep. 17, 2023

According to the New York Equine Death and Breakdown report, Hennig has not had a fatality since 2021, when he had two, one at Belmont Park and the other at Saratoga.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2023

There had been no real physical hardship involved in the Breakdown, as it affected Anvhar, since the planet was completely self sufficient.

From Sense of Obligation by Henry Maxwell Dempsey (AKA Harry Harrison)

Related Words

• disintegration
• disruption
• failure
• mishap
• nervous breakdown