breakdown
noun
a breaking down, wearing out, or sudden loss of ability to function efficiently, as of a machine.
breakdowns
-
pluralof breakdown.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
The 24-year-old is still learning how to manage the anomaly, which allows her to continue running when one of the tendons is torn but may also make her more susceptible to breakdowns.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
Gas infrastructure routinely experiences breakdowns or technical disruptions that halt flows.
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
Iranian diplomats have expressed exhaustion over the repeated breakdowns in negotiations with the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026
Last season, the Rams lost several games that featured major special teams breakdowns.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Under the stress of trench warfare, some soldiers seemed to suffer nervous breakdowns, a condition that became known as shell shock.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
