Definition of breakdown
1 : the action or result of breaking down: such asa : a failure to function preventing a breakdown of the health-care systemb : failure to progress or have effect : disintegration a breakdown of negotiationsc medicine : a complete loss of physical, mental, or emotional vitality : a physical, mental, or nervous collapsed : the process of decomposing the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen cellular breakdowne : 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
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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
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The EMP Commission, an expert group set up by America’s Congress to study the threat, reckoned in 2008 that the first year of societal breakdown could finish off two-thirds of Americans.
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Gaines said that the regular service and attention will cut down on customers' costs in the long run, perhaps preventing surprise breakdowns and big-ticket replacements.
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The breakdown: $100,000 for Santa Maria Community Services’ Lower Price Hill Collaborative, which provided counseling/coaching to in-school youth at risk of violence.
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So, here's the breakdown (percentages are rounded to the nearest integer)... ...for a grand total of 116 acts that are 100% dude.
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Israel's exact population breakdown is hard to calculate because intermarriage is common.
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Airlines cause more delays than the weather, for reasons extending to mechanical breakdowns to lack of flight crews.
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President Donald Trump has pledged a $1 trillion overhaul of roads and bridges, though his administration hasn’t disclosed spending details or breakdowns by transportation mode.
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Ben Robson, who plays middle child Craig, gives us a breakdown of the current season, appealing to his character's baser instincts, and grappling with Craig's vices.
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
Other Psychology Terms
BREAKDOWN Defined for English Language Learners
breakdown
playDefinition of breakdown for English Language Learners
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: a failure of a machine to function : an occurrence in which a machine (such as a car) stops working
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: the failure of a relationship or of an effort to discuss something
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: a failure that prevents a system from working properly
BREAKDOWN Defined for Kids
breakdown
playDefinition of breakdown for Students
1 : a failure to function properly
2 : a sudden failure of mental or physical health
Medical Dictionary
breakdown
Medical Definition of breakdown
: obtained or resulting from disintegration or decomposition of a substance a breakdown product of purine
Learn More about breakdown
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See words that rhyme with breakdown Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for breakdown Spanish Central: Translation of breakdown Nglish: Translation of breakdown for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of breakdown for Arabic speakers
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