burnout

[burn-out]

noun

1. a fire that is totally destructive of something.

2. Also burn-out fatigue, frustration, or apathy resulting from prolonged stress, overwork, or intense activity.

3. Rocketry.

   1. the termination of effective combustion in a rocket engine, due to exhaustion of propellant.

   2. the end of the powered portion of a rocket's flight.

4. Electricity.,  the breakdown of a lamp, motor, or other electrical device due to the heat created by the current flowing through it.

Word History and Origins

Origin of burnout¹

First recorded in 1900–05; noun use of verb phrase burn out

Example Sentences

The top three reasons given have remained unchanged since 2023: low pay, burnout and a lack of growth opportunities.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

By the time he began working with Gkolomeev, Hawke had adjusted his plan to five days a week to prevent burnout.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There's a new maturity to his delivery, and his credibility, as the 36-year-old resists the temptation to let emotional burnout harden into cynicism.

Read more on BBC

"I experienced autistic burnout," she says.

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Lorraine's experience shows burnout can affect anyone at any level, even if statistics suggest it is more likely to happen to women - in part because of added family responsibilities.

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