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
Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
In one incident, covered by Newsweek, a woman had a meltdown at check-in while her young child cried and begged her to stop.
—Matthew Impelli, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
This week’s episode tackles the minefield of casting, as execs melt down over the racial politics of casting their absurd Kool-Aid tentpole.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
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Noun
The Grok meltdown underscores some of the fundamental problems at the heart of AI development that tech companies have so far yada-yada-yada’d through anytime they’re pressed on questions of safety.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
In one incident, covered by Newsweek, a woman had a meltdown at check-in while her young child cried and begged her to stop.
—Matthew Impelli, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Verb
Continue reading … ‘HAWKING IT’ – 'The View' melts down over Biden book, hosts deflect by slamming Trump.
—FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
This week’s episode tackles the minefield of casting, as execs melt down over the racial politics of casting their absurd Kool-Aid tentpole.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 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 29 May. 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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