meltdown

1 of 2

noun

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)

melt down

2 of 2

verb

melted down; melting down; melts down

intransitive verb

: to suffer a meltdown : collapse

Synonyms

Verb

• break down
• break up
• crack
• flip (out) [slang]
• freak (out)
• wig (out) [slang]

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

Noun

Continue reading … - OPINION JASON CHAFFETZ – Democrats don’t get a do-over just because of Biden's debate meltdown. —Fox News, 12 July 2024

Biden’s slow-motion meltdown has left Democrats worried about their odds this fall of keeping control of the Senate and claiming a majority in the House. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 12 July 2024

Verb

Listen to this article Loading your audio article The bad news first: While the city swelters, some subway service has been melting down. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 July 2024

Because the material used is a thermoplastic filament, that means it can technically be melted down and reused. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1956, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1956, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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)