breakdown

1 of 2

noun

break·​down ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce breakdown (audio)
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
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

Example Sentences

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 See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But far worse than these functionality breakdowns has been the uptick in hate speech on the platform. Chandra Steele, PCMAG, 11 May 2023 None are trying to hoof it out of the town, none are in complete breakdown mode. Erik Kain, Forbes, 7 May 2023 Here’s a breakdown of the best remaining prospects, including Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer and Kentucky’s Will Levis There are plenty of talented players left after an exciting first day of the NFL Draft in Kansas City. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2023 Here is a breakdown of the series and prediction: (4) Suns-(1) Nuggets series schedule, TV: Saturday: Game 1, 5:30 p.m., (TNT), Ball Arena. Monday: Game 2, 7 p.m., (TNT), Ball Arena. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 28 Apr. 2023 Advertisement The breakdown of those in support or in opposition was not particularly partisan. Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2023 The figures did not include the 16,700 late-December cancellations at Southwest that followed the breakdown of the airline’s crew-rescheduling system. David Koenig, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Apr. 2023 Here’s our breakdown of the winners and losers of the Rodgers deal. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2023 Editor’s picks Here’s an album breakdown of Manic Dream Pixie, straight from Peach herself. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2023
Verb
This causes the uterine lining to stop thickening and to break down, detaching the embryo. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2023 If this structure is not sound, the entire process can break down. Philip Anloague, Fortune Well, 21 Apr. 2023 But if a large wave breaks and pushes the ducks together, that creates a singularity and the Einstein equations break down. Steve Nadis, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2023 April 5: French union leaders meet with Borne for last-minute talks before the reforms are ratified, but negotiations quickly break down. Diego Lasarte, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2023 Sourdough’s low pH and long fermentation time means the bread is more digestible than those fermented with baker’s yeast because the nutrients in sourdough have more time to break down. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2023 On numerous occasions last postseason, Golden State saw its actions break down, only for Wiggins to salvage the possession with a jumper or driving dunk. Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 13 Apr. 2023 Too frequently, the aging equipment break down, which can lead to worker injuries. Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 10 Apr. 2023 When refugee boats broke down last year in the middle of the Andaman Sea, neighboring countries ignored their pleas for help. Rebecca Tan, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breakdown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of breakdown was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near breakdown

Cite this Entry

“Breakdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breakdown. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

breakdown

1 of 2 noun
break·​down ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce breakdown (audio)
1
a
: a failure to function properly
b
: a physical, mental, or nervous collapse
2
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 How to pronounce breakdown (audio)
: 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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on breakdown

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