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break down

verb

Definition of break down

  1. transitive verb

  2. 1a :  to cause to fall or collapse by breaking or shatteringb :  to make ineffective break down legal barriers

  3. 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

  4. intransitive verb

  5. 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

  6. 2 of horses :  to severely injure the supporting ligament or bones of the fetlock joint

  7. 3a :  to be susceptible to or undergo analysis or subdivision the statistics break down like thisb :  to undergo decomposition

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Examples of break down in a Sentence

  1. 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

  2. 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

break down Synonyms

Synonyms
assort, classify, categorize, class, codify, compartment, compartmentalize, digest, distinguish, distribute, grade, group, peg, place, range, rank, relegate, separate, sort, type
Antonyms
start (up)
Related Words
array, dispose, draw up, marshal (also marshall), order, organize, systematize; alphabetize, catalog (or catalogue), file, index, list, refer; pigeonhole, shelve; identify, recognize; cull, screen, set, sieve, sift, winnow; clump, cluster, colligate; recategorize, reclassify, regroup; subcategorize
Near Antonyms
confuse, disarrange, jumble, lump, mix (up), scramble; misclassify, missort, mistype

Synonym Discussion of break down

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

Medical Dictionary

break down

play
verb \(ˈ)brāk-ˈdau̇n\

Medical Definition of break down

  1. :  to separate (as a chemical compound) into simpler substances :  decompose

  2. 1

  3. intransitive verb

    4. a:  to stop functioning because of breakage or wearb:  to fail in strength or vitalityc:  to succumb to mental or emotional stress

  4. 2of horses :  to severely injure the supporting ligament or bones of the fetlock joint

  5. 3:  to undergo decomposition

Learn More about break down

  1. 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

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Examples: break down in a Sentence
Tip: Synonym Guide