melt·down
ˈmelt-ˌdau̇n 
1
: the accidental melting of the core of a nuclear reactor
2
: a rapid or disastrous decline or collapse
warning of a stock market meltdown
3
: a breakdown of self-control (as from fatigue or overstimulation)
an exhausted toddler having a meltdown
melted down; melting down; melts down
1
of a nuclear reactor
: to undergo an accidental melting of the core
2
: to experience a very fast collapse or failure
The stock market melted down today.
: to melt (something) so that it can be used for another purpose
melting down gold coins
Synonyms of meltdown
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
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
The March 11, 2011, quake and tsunami destroyed cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, causing meltdowns at reactors 1, 2 and 3.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
Though skeletal remains are missing, some objects had been burned or melted down.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
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
Variety first reported Friday evening about Row K’s financial meltdown.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
The March 11, 2011, quake and tsunami destroyed cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, causing meltdowns at reactors 1, 2 and 3.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
His dad needed to pop in to check something, and what caught Will’s eye was a large drum of polyethylene pellets, the raw bits that get melted down and stretched into plastic wrap and plastic bags.
—Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026
Though skeletal remains are missing, some objects had been burned or melted down.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
Cite this Entry
“Meltdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meltdown. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
