melt·down
ˈmelt-ˌdau̇n 
1
: the accidental melting of the core of a nuclear reactor
2
: a rapid or disastrous decline or collapse
warning of a stock market meltdown
3
: a breakdown of self-control (as from fatigue or overstimulation)
an exhausted toddler having a meltdown
melted down; melting down; melts down
1
of a nuclear reactor
: to undergo an accidental melting of the core
2
: to experience a very fast collapse or failure
The stock market melted down today.
: to melt (something) so that it can be used for another purpose
melting down gold coins
Synonyms of meltdown
Examples of meltdown in a Sentence
Noun
fears that an accident could cause meltdown
a company experiencing financial meltdown
After a long day at the beach, our toddler had a major meltdown in the car on the way home.
Verb
rather than melt down, the team strengthened their resolve and ended up winning the game
Recent Examples on the Web
Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Changing her for the park led to a meltdown.
—Anna Spoerre, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 12 June 2026
The wedding — and especially Cassie and Nate’s dance, as Cassie melts down on the day she’s spent her life dreaming of, having learned about the deep financial hole Nate is in — must have felt especially layered.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
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Noun
England always has flashy players heading into World Cup play, but the results haven't been there, and they've often been sent home in brutal fashion, offering a great parallel to the Mets' clockwork-like midsummer swoons and late-season meltdowns.
—Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Changing her for the park led to a meltdown.
—Anna Spoerre, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
Verb
The trick, then, is to melt down in a way that’s not just entertaining to an audience but deeply relatable.
—Matthew Jackson, Vulture, 12 June 2026
The wedding — and especially Cassie and Nate’s dance, as Cassie melts down on the day she’s spent her life dreaming of, having learned about the deep financial hole Nate is in — must have felt especially layered.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
Cite this Entry
“Meltdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meltdown. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
meltdown
noun
melt·down
ˈmelt-ˌdau̇n
1
: the accidental melting of the core of a nuclear reactor
2
: a rapid or disastrous decline or collapse
a financial meltdown
3
: a breakdown of self-control (as from fatigue or overstimulation)
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