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

The company closed out 2025 with a roughly 24% year-over-year sales gain in its international business, according to a geographic breakdown in its annual report.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

The pressures that wildfires exert on survivors are not always direct — housing instability, the loss of employment and the breakdown of social networks and sense of community all exacerbate the crisis.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

A breakdown of the current prison population shows 1,849 inmates have still to be tried in court, including those waiting to be deported.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

Abel’s first meeting featured a more detailed breakdown of Berkshire’s businesses, departing from a folksy approach.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

“You can replay action . . . slow everything down . . . and they flash up a play-by-play breakdown if you need it. Bargain — ten Galleons each.”

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

Related Words

• disintegration
• disruption
• failure
• mishap
• nervous breakdown