break down
Definition of break down
transitive verb
1a : to cause to fall or collapse by breaking or shatteringb : to make ineffective break down legal barriers
2a : to divide into parts or categoriesb : to separate (something, such as a chemical compound) into simpler substances : decomposec : to take apart especially for storage or shipment and for later reassembling
intransitive verb
1a : to stop functioning because of breakage or wearb : to become inoperative or ineffective : fail negotiations broke downc : to fail in strength or vitality her health broke downd : to succumb to mental or emotional stress broke down and criede : 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
3a : to be susceptible to or undergo analysis or subdivision the statistics break down like thisb : to undergo decomposition
From the M-W Editors
Examples of break down in a Sentence
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
First Known Use of break down
14th century
Synonym Discussion of break down
Medical Dictionary
break down
playMedical Definition of break down
: to separate (as a chemical compound) into simpler substances : decompose
1
intransitive verb
a: to stop functioning because of breakage or wearb: to fail in strength or vitalityc: to succumb to mental or emotional stress2of horses : to severely injure the supporting ligament or bones of the fetlock joint
3: to undergo decomposition
Learn More about break down
-
See words that rhyme with break down Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for break down Spanish Central: Translation of break down Nglish: Translation of break down for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of break down for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up break down? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!