breakdown

1 of 2

noun

break·​down ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce breakdown (audio)
1
: the action or result of breaking down: such as
a
: a failure to function
preventing a breakdown of the health-care system
b
: failure to progress or have effect : disintegration
a breakdown of negotiations
c
: a complete loss of physical, mental, or emotional vitality : a physical, mental, or nervous collapse
d
: the process of decomposing
the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen
cellular breakdown
e
: division into categories
a statistical breakdown of data
: classification
also : an account analyzed into categories
a budget breakdown
2
: a fast shuffling dance
also : music for such a dance

break down

2 of 2

verb

broke down; broken down; breaking down; breaks down

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to fall or collapse by breaking or shattering
b
: to make ineffective
break down legal barriers
2
a
: to divide into parts or categories
b
: to separate (something, such as a chemical compound) into simpler substances : decompose
c
: to take apart especially for storage or shipment and for later reassembling

intransitive verb

1
a
: to stop functioning because of breakage or wear
b
: to become inoperative or ineffective : fail
negotiations broke down
c
: to fail in strength or vitality
her health broke down
d
: to succumb to mental or emotional stress
broke down and cried
e
: to lose one's resolve : give in
finally broke down and bought a computer
2
of horses : to severely injure the supporting ligament or bones of the fetlock joint
3
a
: to be susceptible to or undergo analysis or subdivision
the statistics break down like this
b
: to undergo decomposition
Choose the Right Synonym for breakdown

analyze, dissect, break down mean to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements.

analyze suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (such as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships.

analyzed the collected data

dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny.

commentators dissected every word of the speech

break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions.

break down the budget

Examples of breakdown in a Sentence

Noun The factory has had frequent equipment breakdowns. Both sides are to blame for the breakdown in communication. The irretrievable breakdown of a marriage can be grounds for divorce. trying to prevent a breakdown of the health-care system trying to prevent breakdown of the health-care system He suffered a breakdown after his wife died. Verb when presented with the pile of files, the first thing he did was to break them down by month, order within the month, and region the enamel of a human tooth will begin to break down when exposed to sugar for too long
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Others pointed to the breakdowns that allowed Harrison Barnes to make seven of the Kings’ 19 three-pointers. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Neither Israeli troops nor the Hamas police force is on the streets, leaving citizens prey to a dangerous breakdown of law and order. Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for breakdown 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breakdown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of breakdown was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near breakdown

Cite this Entry

“Breakdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breakdown. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

breakdown

1 of 2 noun
break·​down ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce breakdown (audio)
1
a
: a failure to function properly
b
: a physical, mental, or nervous collapse
2
3
: division into categories : classification

break down

2 of 2 verb
ˈbrāk-ˈdau̇n
1
: to stop working properly
the car broke down on the highway
2
a
: to separate (as a chemical compound) into simpler substances : decompose
b
: to go through decomposition
3
: to separate or become separated into parts or groups
this report breaks down into three sections
4
a
: to become overwhelmed by strong emotion
broke down and cried
b
: to lose the strength to resist or fight
broke down and confessed
5
: to use force to push (something) to the ground
break down a door

Medical Definition

breakdown

1 of 3 noun
break·​down ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce breakdown (audio)
: the action or result of breaking down: as
a
: a failure to function
b
: a physical, mental, or nervous collapse
c
: the process of decomposing
breakdown of food during digestion

breakdown

2 of 3 adjective
: obtained or resulting from disintegration or decomposition of a substance
a breakdown product of purine

break down

3 of 3 transitive verb
: to separate (as a chemical compound) into simpler substances : decompose

intransitive verb

1
a
: to stop functioning because of breakage or wear
b
: to fail in strength or vitality
c
: to succumb to mental or emotional stress
2
of horses : to severely injure the supporting ligament or bones of the fetlock joint
3
: to undergo decomposition

More from Merriam-Webster on breakdown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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