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