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

warning of a stock market meltdown

3

: a breakdown of self-control (as from fatigue or overstimulation)

an exhausted toddler having a meltdown

melt down

2 of 2

verb

melted down; melting down; melts down

intransitive verb

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.

transitive verb

: to melt (something) so that it can be used for another purpose

melting down gold coins

Synonyms of meltdown

Verb

• crack
• fall apart
• lose it
• choke
• flip (out)
• go to pieces
• break down
• wig (out)
• freak (out)
• break up

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

The residence-style rooms make mealtimes and bedtimes easier, and the gondola access minimizes the potential for meltdowns. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026

When Brown refused, Arians told him to leave the field — and the player did so in a spectacular meltdown. — David K. Li, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2026

Verb

The album featured the sexy, chicken-scratch funk of the 1970s melted down to something slow and gooey next to early-morning comedown music for a ’90s-style sunrise in the chill-out room. — Jack Denton, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

After the band melted down, Hughes went out on his own, releasing his 1977 solo debut, Play Me Out, the first of more than a dozen solo LPs he’s released. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1956, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1620, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for meltdown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

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)