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
Susan Page, USA Today, 22 June 2026
The program later showed Sullivan calling her boyfriend to tell him the news in one of the show's most shocking moments, which saw her partner melt down on the other end of the phone.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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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 financial system melted down in 2008 and the global COVID-19 pandemic erupted in 2020.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 22 June 2026
The program later showed Sullivan calling her boyfriend to tell him the news in one of the show's most shocking moments, which saw her partner melt down on the other end of the phone.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 22 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 24 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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