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
Abby Monteil, Them., 22 Apr. 2025
And even worse, having only three of the four East River tubes working will create a total meltdown when there is a normal glitch with equipment or signals or tracks.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Most notably, Christopher Ward was able to utilize metal from the actual Goodison Park turnstiles to melt down into coins to use on the back of the watch.
—Layla Ilchi, WWD, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
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Noun
The gay man who was involved in Rep. Nancy Mace’s viral meltdown at an Ulta Beauty store is speaking out about the bizarre incident.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 22 Apr. 2025
And even worse, having only three of the four East River tubes working will create a total meltdown when there is a normal glitch with equipment or signals or tracks.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
Within hours, the temperature inside Unit 1 rose to five thousand degrees, and the fuel assembly started to melt down.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Most notably, Christopher Ward was able to utilize metal from the actual Goodison Park turnstiles to melt down into coins to use on the back of the watch.
—Layla Ilchi, WWD, 11 Mar. 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 4 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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