letdown

American  

[let-doun] / ˈlɛtˌdaʊn /

Or let-down

noun

1. a decrease in volume, force, energy, etc..

   a letdown in sales; a general letdown of social barriers.

2. disillusionment, discouragement, or disappointment.

   The job was a letdown.

3. depression; deflation.

   He felt a terrible letdown at the end of the play.

4. the accelerated movement of milk into the mammary glands of lactating mammals upon stimulation, as by massage or suckling.

5. Aeronautics. the descent of an aircraft from a higher to a lower altitude preparatory to making an approach and landing or to making a target run or the like.

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Etymology

Origin of letdown

First recorded in 1760–70; noun use of verb phrase let down

Example Sentences

It happened when I pumped, and even when I merely anticipated milk letdown.

From Slate • Mar. 15, 2026

Pakistan's pullout will result in a loss of millions of dollars in revenue for broadcasters, and will be a huge letdown for fans on both sides.

From Barron's • Feb. 5, 2026

Federal Reserve chief Jerome Powell said the U.S. jobs market seems to have stabilized after a big letdown last year, justifying the Fed’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 29, 2026

If there wasn’t a TV show or movie in production—or, if no actor was seen—the tour could be a bit of a letdown.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

When I wake up in the morning, it’s always sort of a letdown as reality hits me.

From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

• anticlimax
• comedown
• setback