breakdown

1 of 2

noun

break·​down ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n 

1

: the action or result of breaking down: such as

a

: a failure to function

preventing a breakdown of the health care system

b

: failure to progress or have effect : disintegration

a breakdown of negotiations

c

: a complete loss of physical, mental, or emotional vitality : a physical, mental, or nervous collapse

d

: the process of decomposing

the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen

cellular breakdown

e

: division into categories

a statistical breakdown of data

: classification

also : an account analyzed into categories

a budget breakdown

2

: a fast shuffling dance

also : music for such a dance

break down

2 of 2

verb

broke down; broken down; breaking down; breaks down

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to fall or collapse by breaking or shattering

b

: to make ineffective

break down legal barriers

2

a

: to divide into parts or categories

b

: to separate (something, such as a chemical compound) into simpler substances : decompose

c

: to take apart especially for storage or shipment and for later reassembling

intransitive verb

1

a

: to stop functioning because of breakage or wear

b

: to become inoperative or ineffective : fail

negotiations broke down

c

: to fail in strength or vitality

her health broke down

d

: to succumb to mental or emotional stress

broke down and cried

e

: 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

3

a

: to be susceptible to or undergo analysis or subdivision

the statistics break down like this

b

: to undergo decomposition

Synonyms

Noun

• nervous breakdown
• disturbance
• tailspin
• anxiety
• agitation
• excitability

Verb

• classify
• rank
• distinguish
• group
• relegate
• grade
• type
• sort
• separate
• place
• distribute

Choose the Right Synonym for breakdown

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

Examples of breakdown in a Sentence

Noun

The factory has had frequent equipment breakdowns.

Both sides are to blame for the breakdown in communication.

The irretrievable breakdown of a marriage can be grounds for divorce.

trying to prevent a breakdown of the health-care system

trying to prevent breakdown of the health-care system

He suffered a breakdown after his wife died.

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The couple face another breakdown when their daughter, Sofia, gets taken into Child Services, which has been quietly monitoring the couple. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025

Barnes said the case illustrates a breakdown within the broader criminal justice process. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025

Verb

This is the web version of Fortune Tech, a daily newsletter breaking down the biggest players and stories shaping the future. —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025

Welcome to your Queer Weekly Horoscope, a bite-sized look at the coming days broken down by your zodiac sign. —Colin Bedell, Them., 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing breakdown

• breakdown lane
• breakdown truck
• nervous breakdown

Rhymes for breakdown

• adown
• blowdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown
• knockdown

Kids Definition

breakdown

1 of 2 noun

break·​down ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n 

1

a

: a failure to function properly

b

: a physical, mental, or nervous collapse

2

: decomposition

3

: division into categories : classification

break down

2 of 2 verb

ˈbrāk-ˈdau̇n

1

: to stop working properly

the car broke down on the highway

2

a

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

b

: to go through decomposition

3

: to separate or become separated into parts or groups

this report breaks down into three sections

4

a

: to become overwhelmed by strong emotion

broke down and cried

b

: to lose the strength to resist or fight

broke down and confessed

5

: to use force to push (something) to the ground

break down a door

Medical Definition

breakdown

1 of 3 noun

break·​down ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n 

: the action or result of breaking down: as

a

: a failure to function

b

: a physical, mental, or nervous collapse

c

: the process of decomposing

breakdown of food during digestion

breakdown

2 of 3 adjective

: obtained or resulting from disintegration or decomposition of a substance

a breakdown product of purine

break down

3 of 3 transitive verb

(ˈ)brāk-ˈdau̇n 

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

intransitive verb

1

a

: to stop functioning because of breakage or wear

b

: to fail in strength or vitality

c

: to succumb to mental or emotional stress

2

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

3

: to undergo decomposition