breakdown

1 of 2

noun

break·down ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n

Synonyms of breakdown next

: the action or result of breaking down: such as

: a failure to function

preventing a breakdown of the health-care system

: failure to progress or have effect : disintegration

a breakdown of negotiations

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

: the process of decomposing

the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen

cellular breakdown

: division into categories

a statistical breakdown of data

: classification

also : an account analyzed into categories

a budget breakdown

: 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

: to cause to fall or collapse by breaking or shattering

: to make ineffective

break down legal barriers

: to divide into parts or categories

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

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

intransitive verb

: to stop functioning because of breakage or wear

: to become inoperative or ineffective : fail

negotiations broke down

: to fail in strength or vitality

her health broke down

: to succumb to mental or emotional stress

broke down and cried

: to lose one's resolve : give in

finally broke down and bought a computer

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

: to be susceptible to or undergo analysis or subdivision

the statistics break down like this

: 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.