melt·down
ˈmelt-ˌdau̇n 
1
: the accidental melting of the core of a nuclear reactor
2
: a rapid or disastrous decline or collapse
3
: a breakdown of self-control (as from fatigue or overstimulation)
Examples of meltdown in a Sentence
Noun
fears that an accident could cause meltdown
a company experiencing financial meltdown
After a long day at the beach, our toddler had a major meltdown in the car on the way home.
Verb
rather than melt down, the team strengthened their resolve and ended up winning the game
Recent Examples on the Web
Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 July 2025
But, after the announcement prompted a market meltdown, the president hit pause for 90 days to allow time for negotiations with individual counties, although high taxes were left in place on imports from China.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
With a leftist New York City politician appearing likely to be the Democratic mayoral candidate for the U.S.’ largest city, business interests are melting down over the prospects of his tax-the-rich platform aimed at improving basic services.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
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Noun
After the bullpen suffered another meltdown in Friday’s 6-5 loss to the New York Mets at Citi Field, Boone fended off questions about the status of the unit.
—Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 July 2025
But, after the announcement prompted a market meltdown, the president hit pause for 90 days to allow time for negotiations with individual counties, although high taxes were left in place on imports from China.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Verb
The same goes for Redick, who did an admirable job in his first regular season before melting down in the playoffs.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
With a leftist New York City politician appearing likely to be the Democratic mayoral candidate for the U.S.’ largest city, business interests are melting down over the prospects of his tax-the-rich platform aimed at improving basic services.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
Cite this Entry
“Meltdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meltdown. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
meltdown
noun
melt·down
ˈmelt-ˌdau̇n
1
: the accidental melting of the core of a nuclear reactor
2
: a rapid or disastrous decline or collapse
a financial meltdown
3
: a breakdown of self-control (as from fatigue or overstimulation)
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