breakdown
- a breaking down, wearing out, or sudden loss of ability to function efficiently, as of a machine.
- a loss of mental or physical health; collapse.Compare nervous breakdown.
- an analysis or classification of something; division into parts, categories, processes, etc.
- Chemistry.
- 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.
- a noisy, lively folk dance.
Origin of breakdown
Related Words for breakdown
disruption, disintegration, mishap, failure, neurosis, neurasthenia, categorization, classification, dissection, analysis, diagnosis, resolution, itemization, crackup, psychastheniaExamples from the Web for breakdown
Contemporary Examples of breakdown
The breakdown of the 114th Congress is 80 percent white, 80 percent male, and 92 percent Christian.
So definitely in that breakdown I used every bit of my personal life.
Did giving her the attention in the first place contribute to the breakdown?
Amanda Bynes Has a ‘Microchip’ in Her Brain. Why Are We Fascinated By This?Kevin Fallon
October 10, 2014
Republicans currently dominate the breakdown, with 27 GOP secretaries of state in the 47 states that have the position.
In fact, research has shown that hitting the weights without fuel can lead to the breakdown of muscle.
Historical Examples of breakdown
But the instant Arnold repairs the breakdown, your little experiment is over!
We're Friends, NowHenry Hasse
In this Cadell was excellent, and we rarely had a breakdown.
The Doings of the Fifteenth Infantry BrigadeEdward Lord Gleichen
"We've had a breakdown," remarked Andy, and he seemed quite humiliated.
Tom Swift and his Motor-boatVictor Appleton
This breakdown of the individuality of the phantom voices is very characteristic.
The Shadow WorldHamlin Garland
"You'll have to have your breakdown rather closer to the house than we thought," he said.
The Grell MysteryFrank Froest
Word Origin and History for breakdown
breakdown
(brāk′doun′)- The act or process of failing to function or continue.
- A typically sudden collapse in physical or mental health.
- Disintegration or decomposition into parts or elements.