melt·down
ˈmelt-ˌdau̇n 
1
: the accidental melting of the core of a nuclear reactor
2
: a rapid or disastrous decline or collapse
3
: a breakdown of self-control (as from fatigue or overstimulation)
Synonyms
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
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 May 2024
The long-term meltdown at Thwaites, specifically, also poses a second threat.
—Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 24 May 2024
Nixon’s Watergate scandal and Carter’s leadership during Three Mile Island’s nuclear meltdown?
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 23 May 2024
After the 1997 meltdown, the third episode focuses on the fest’s phoenix-like rebirth in Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan, where Lolla put down roots in 2005.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 May 2024
The meltdown began as lawmakers were discussing the issue of holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt for refusing to release audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 17 May 2024
During one event, a child recently diagnosed with the developmental disability had a minor meltdown and started rolling on the floor.
—Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 23 Apr. 2024
On 11 March, a tidal wave set in motion a sequence of events that led to meltdowns in three reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi power station, 250 kilometers northeast of Tokyo.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Oct. 2011
The enthusiasm must overcome deep anxiety over reactor meltdowns such as those at Chernobyl in 1986 and Fukushima in 2011, questions about the disposal of nuclear waste, and the potential for plants to be targets of war or terrorism.
—TIME, 14 May 2024
Matthew Continetti, National Review, 18 May 2024
Instead, gold and silver items like Berra’s rings, Maris’s M.V.P. plaque and the Belmont Stakes trophy were melted down and hocked as raw metals, according to court papers.
—Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
This will set your undereye makeup and melt down any excess powder.
—Clare Holden, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2024
Repaired, he was soon returned to his post, only to disappear again, rumored to have been in the basement across the street in the Otis Art Institute, where he was eventually melted down.
—Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Naismith suspects the silver was first contained in objects held by the upper class, melted down when economic times got tough.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024
While that was happening, the 21-year old Kostyuk appeared to be melting down.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
Water from the dam’s reservoir had been used to cool the reactors, which now could overheat and melt down if turned on.
—Richard Engel, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2024
These implements were possibly melted down and traded.
—Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 20 Feb. 2024
Noun
Last season the 9-3 Dolphins had a fourth-quarter 28-27 meltdown that cost the team a win against the Tennessee Titans, squandering Miami’s chances of locking up the AFC East division early.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 29 May 2024
The long-term meltdown at Thwaites, specifically, also poses a second threat.
—Andre Mouchard, Orange County Register, 24 May 2024
Nixon’s Watergate scandal and Carter’s leadership during Three Mile Island’s nuclear meltdown?
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 23 May 2024
After the 1997 meltdown, the third episode focuses on the fest’s phoenix-like rebirth in Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan, where Lolla put down roots in 2005.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 May 2024
The meltdown began as lawmakers were discussing the issue of holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt for refusing to release audio recordings of President Joe Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 17 May 2024
During one event, a child recently diagnosed with the developmental disability had a minor meltdown and started rolling on the floor.
—Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 23 Apr. 2024
On 11 March, a tidal wave set in motion a sequence of events that led to meltdowns in three reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi power station, 250 kilometers northeast of Tokyo.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Oct. 2011
The enthusiasm must overcome deep anxiety over reactor meltdowns such as those at Chernobyl in 1986 and Fukushima in 2011, questions about the disposal of nuclear waste, and the potential for plants to be targets of war or terrorism.
—TIME, 14 May 2024
Verb
In their view, the potential upside of watching your opponent melt down is greater than the risk of tripping up.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 18 May 2024
Instead, gold and silver items like Berra’s rings, Maris’s M.V.P. plaque and the Belmont Stakes trophy were melted down and hocked as raw metals, according to court papers.
—Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
This will set your undereye makeup and melt down any excess powder.
—Clare Holden, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2024
Repaired, he was soon returned to his post, only to disappear again, rumored to have been in the basement across the street in the Otis Art Institute, where he was eventually melted down.
—Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Naismith suspects the silver was first contained in objects held by the upper class, melted down when economic times got tough.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024
While that was happening, the 21-year old Kostyuk appeared to be melting down.
—Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2024
Water from the dam’s reservoir had been used to cool the reactors, which now could overheat and melt down if turned on.
—Richard Engel, NBC News, 22 Feb. 2024
These implements were possibly melted down and traded.
—Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 20 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'meltdown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near meltdown
Cite this Entry
“Meltdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meltdown. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
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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