breakdown
Americannoun
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a breaking down, wearing out, or sudden loss of ability to function efficiently, as of a machine.
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a loss of mental or physical health; collapse.
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an analysis or classification of something; division into parts, categories, processes, etc.
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Chemistry.
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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.
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a noisy, lively folk dance.
Etymology
Origin of breakdown
First recorded in 1825–35; noun use of verb phrase break down
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sure: It’s not just this breakdown that set things up to be as bad as they are now.
From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026
Fidelity has a useful breakdown of the three agencies’ bond ratings.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026
The breakdown of divisions for boys and girls ranges from third grade to eighth grade and will be played on Sundays beginning Aug. 16 at Agoura, Oak Park and Westlake.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026
Add in the regular occurrence of boos from supporters at Anfield and the ugly breakdown of his relationship with Mohamed Salah and you can see why Slot and Liverpool were truly pushed to the limits.
From BBC • May 30, 2026
My mother says he was homesick, and hints at a nervous breakdown, but there was more to it than that.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
