View synonyms for meltdown

meltdown

[melt-doun]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the melting of a significant portion of a nuclear-reactor core due to inadequate cooling of the fuel elements, a condition that could lead to the escape of radiation.
a quickly developing breakdown or collapse.
a bond-market meltdown;
the meltdown of a marriage.
Informal., a sudden loss of control over one’s feelings or behavior.
My toddler had a meltdown when I tried to leave the house.

meltdown

/ ˈmɛltˌdaʊn /

(in a nuclear reactor) the melting of the fuel rods as a result of a defect in the cooling system, with the possible escape of radiation into the environment
informal, a sudden disastrous failure with potential for widespread harm, as a stock-exchange crash
informal, the process or state of irreversible breakdown or decline
the community is slowly going into meltdown

meltdown

Severe overheating of a nuclear reactor core, resulting in melting of the core and escape of radiation.

meltdown

The most serious accident that can occur at a nuclear reactor. In a meltdown, the radioactive material in the reactor becomes very hot, melting some or all of the fuel in the reactor. A meltdown may or may not be followed by the release of radioactive material to the environment. A partial meltdown, with very little external radiation, occurred at Three Mile Island (see also Three Mile Island) in 1979; a complete meltdown happened at Chernobyl in 1986.

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First recorded in 1960–65; noun use of verb phrase melt down

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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A stock-market meltdown could pose an even bigger threat, since wealthier Americans are the biggest spenders on takeout and fine dining.

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