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.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
BREAKDOWN: Here's the lowdown on the breakdown: Whichever team dominates in the tackle area usually wins the game.
From US News • Oct. 23, 2015
It was not the way he is usually spoken to at Chelsea'" – the Sun's back-page splash screams "BREAKDOWN AT THE BRIDGE: WE'RE NO1 FOR EXCLUSIVES.
From The Guardian • Feb. 20, 2013
THE BREAKDOWN: So you thought being an Olympic athlete was fun and glamorous, did you?
From BBC • Jul. 19, 2012
THE BREAKDOWN: The UK's flag carrier is famed for its grand, big-budget, award-winning adverts.
From BBC • Jul. 19, 2012
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.
