break down into
idiom
1
: to separate (something) into (simpler substances)
Water can be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis.
2
: to become separated into simpler substances
Water can break down into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis.
3
: to divide (something) into (parts or groups)
The report is broken down into three sections.
4
: to be able to be divided into parts or groups
The report breaks down into three sections.
Examples of break down into in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Though the therapeutic effects of most drugs come from the chemical compound it’s made of, many break down into active metabolites in the body that also have some relevant biological effects.
—
Brad Reisfeld, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2023
Of those, the vinyl chloride gas that caught fire could break down into compounds including hydrogen chloride and phosgene, a chemical weapon used during World War I as a choking agent, according to the EPA and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 15 Feb. 2023
Their world starts to break down into David Lynch-like shards, triggered by their encounter with a possibly supernatural young girl, Lalanna (emerging actor Nakshatra Indrajith), whose song may bring death with it.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 May 2022
Traditional plastic products have also been found to break down into microplastic.
—Alex Zhang, Forbes, 17 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for break down into
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brad Reisfeld, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2023
Of those, the vinyl chloride gas that caught fire could break down into compounds including hydrogen chloride and phosgene, a chemical weapon used during World War I as a choking agent, according to the EPA and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 15 Feb. 2023
Their world starts to break down into David Lynch-like shards, triggered by their encounter with a possibly supernatural young girl, Lalanna (emerging actor Nakshatra Indrajith), whose song may bring death with it.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 May 2022
Traditional plastic products have also been found to break down into microplastic.
—Alex Zhang, Forbes, 17 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for break down into
Cite this Entry
“Break down into.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/break%20down%20into. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share