breakdown

[ breyk-doun ]

noun

1. a breaking down, wearing out, or sudden loss of ability to function efficiently, as of a machine.
2. a loss of mental or physical health; collapse. Compare nervous breakdown.
3. an analysis or classification of something; division into parts, categories, processes, etc.
4. Chemistry.
   1. decomposition.
   2. analysis ( def 6 ).
5. 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.
6. a noisy, lively folk dance.

Word History and Origins

Origin of breakdown¹

First recorded in 1825–35; noun use of verb phrase break down

Example Sentences

The RAC said on Wednesday it had seen a sharp rise in breakdowns, mostly due to people's batteries failing in the cold.

From BBC

Defence lawyers said she suffered a mental breakdown and wanted to die with her children but left the car at the last minute.

From BBC

Greater cell density induces stress that leads to a quicker breakdown of not only synNotch in particular, but also cell surface sensors in general.

From Science Daily

A detailed breakdown of the funding allocations for each force next year is expected to be published next month.

From BBC

After TSA notified residents in August of an impending 7% rent increase, nearly 40 tenants emailed letters protesting the rent spike and airing grievances, including malfunctioning fire alarms and elevator breakdowns.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disintegration
• disruption
• failure
• mishap
• nervous breakdown