breakdown

noun break·down \ ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

Definition of breakdown

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 medicine : 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

See breakdown defined for English-language learners

See breakdown defined for kids

Examples of breakdown in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of breakdown from the Web

To follow Uranus, check out a planetary ephemeris or this nifty daily breakdown.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What Uranus’s Astrological Transit Into Taurus Means for Your Finances," 10 May 2018
Although the overall survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points, breakdowns for smaller groups — such as different ages and political party affiliation — can have much higher margins of error.

— anthony man, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Gun control might not be top issue in 2018 elections, Florida poll finds," 10 May 2018
The breakdown echoed the research hypothesis at the time that autism is rooted in genetics, and that each category would ultimately be linked to a set of specific problems and treatments.

— lina zeldovich, Science | AAAS, "Cold parenting? Childhood schizophrenia? How the diagnosis of autism has evolved over time," 9 May 2018
Others suggest that molecules such as bacterial breakdown products stimulate activity along this channel, or that that the gut influences the brain through other mechanisms, such as inflammation.

— diana kwon, Scientific American, "Does Parkinson’s Begin in the Gut?," 8 May 2018
Between bad roads, mechanical breakdowns and lack of consistent fuel sources, setting off on a long distance trip by car was never a sure thing.

— ben abramson, USA TODAY, "Epic road trip: Coast to coast in a 1926 Ford Model T," 8 May 2018
Emanuel also brought her in to be the lead attorney for the city in 2012 in the lawsuit filed by the family of Christina Eilman, a mentally ill California woman arrested at Midway Airport in 2006 during a bipolar breakdown.

— john byrne, chicagotribune.com, "Lightfoot resigns from Police Board, clearing path for possible mayoral run," 7 May 2018
The results of this anticompetitive system are higher costs and inevitable supply breakdowns.

— phillip l. zweig and, WSJ, "Where Does the Law Against Kickbacks Not Apply? Your Hospital," 7 May 2018
The method is also faster and more reliable, since rotating launchers take time to get into position and are vulnerable to mechanical breakdown.

— eric adams, WIRED, "Lockheed's Drone-Sploding Baby Missile Weighs Just 5 Pounds," 5 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'breakdown.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of breakdown

1827

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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breakdown Synonyms

Synonyms

analysis, anatomizing, anatomy, assay, deconstruction, dissection;

Near Antonyms

agglomeration, aggregation, amalgamation, assimilation, coalescence, conglomeration, consolidation, integration, synthesis, unification;

arrangement, assortment, cataloging (or cataloguing), categorization, classification, codification, indexing;

enumeration, inventory, itemization, tabulation;

division, reduction, segmentation, separation, subdivision;

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

break down

verb

Definition of break 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

See break down defined for kids

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

Recent Examples of break down from the Web

Some break down, but those who’ve made it to the Derby in fine form have held up to the rigors of the subsequent races.

— childs walker, baltimoresun.com, "Five storylines for Preakness 2018," 11 May 2018
Hassler broke down during her testimony and her sobs moved the jury and the courtroom to tears.

— dawn mitchell, Indianapolis Star, "When Carl Fisher got married — his jilted lover got even," 11 May 2018
The research breaks down like this: Women with narrow pelvises would not have easily survived natural childbirth 100 years ago.

— hannah sparling, Cincinnati.com, "We have always been mothers. But C-sections are changing how that is happening.," 10 May 2018
The beer lineup is broken down into styles: light, wheat, ambers, hoppy, Belgian, dark and sour, and cider/stouts.

— jody schmal & greg morago, Houston Chronicle, "Where to tipple craft beer in Houston," 10 May 2018
After the hearing ended, Smith broke down in tears.

— maxine bernstein, OregonLive.com, "Clackamas man gets probation for reporting father, brother as terrorists in family feud," 10 May 2018
Shurmur broke down all 16 games and found hope in the Giants’ 34-29 loss to the Eagles on Dec. 17.

— albert breer, SI.com, "Pat Shurmur Believes In Eli Manning. Will the Giants Believe Too?," 10 May 2018
Voting machines do break down, forcing some jurisdictions to count ballots by hand.

— jen kirby, Vox, "Why it takes so long to get election night results," 9 May 2018
Even Kobe Bryant recently broke down what makes Stevens such a great coach in an interview.

— alysha tsuji, For The Win, "Isaiah Thomas can't believe NBA coaches didn't vote Brad Stevens as coach of the year," 9 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'break down.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of break down

14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

break down Synonyms

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

BREAKDOWN Defined for English Language Learners

breakdown

noun

Definition of breakdown for English Language Learners

: a failure of a machine to function : an occurrence in which a machine (such as a car) stops working
: the failure of a relationship or of an effort to discuss something
: a failure that prevents a system from working properly

BREAKDOWN Defined for Kids

breakdown

noun break·down \ ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n \

Definition of breakdown for Students

1 : a failure to function properly

2 : a sudden failure of mental or physical health

Medical Dictionary

breakdown

noun break·down \ ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n \

medical Definition of breakdown

: 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

adjective

medical Definition of breakdown

: obtained or resulting from disintegration or decomposition of a substance

a breakdown product of purine

break down

transitive verb \ (ˈ)brāk-ˈdau̇n \

medical Definition of break down

: 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

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breakdown

Definition of breakdown

Examples of breakdown in a Sentence

Recent Examples of breakdown from the Web

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breakdown Synonyms

Synonyms

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Other Psychology Terms

break down

Definition of break down

Examples of break down in a Sentence

Recent Examples of break down from the Web

First Known Use of break down

break down Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of break down

Phrases Related to BREAKDOWN

Related Phrases

BREAKDOWN Defined for English Language Learners

breakdown

Definition of breakdown for English Language Learners

BREAKDOWN Defined for Kids

breakdown

Definition of breakdown for Students

Medical Dictionary

breakdown

medical Definition of breakdown

breakdown

medical Definition of breakdown

break down

medical Definition of break down

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