meltdown

1 of 2

noun

melt·​down ˈmelt-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce meltdown (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Luigi Mangione musical already sold out, opening in San Francisco Liberals melt down over Donald Trump as Pope, star wars Jedi; MAGA as fandom? The Hill, 5 May 2025 The precious metal isn’t just a superfluous adornment; it’s seen as a liquid asset: something that can be traded, act as collateral or melted down and sold. Sadiya Ansari Spandita Malik, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for meltdown

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1956, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1956, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of meltdown was in 1956

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meltdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meltdown. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

meltdown

noun
melt·​down ˈmelt-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce meltdown (audio)
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)

More from Merriam-Webster on meltdown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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