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
Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Some champs did both — the 2022 Astros, 1998 Yankees, 1999 Yankees, 2018 Red Sox, 2001 D-Backs, 2024 Dodgers and the aforementioned 2005 White Sox were all top five in both quality starts and fewest meltdowns.
—Neil Paine, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
With a leftist New York City politician appearing likely to be the Democratic mayoral candidate for the U.S.’ largest city, business interests are melting down over the prospects of his tax-the-rich platform aimed at improving basic services.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
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Noun
Airline meltdowns, where passengers can’t be rebooked for several days, cause a brief spike in demand.
—Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Some champs did both — the 2022 Astros, 1998 Yankees, 1999 Yankees, 2018 Red Sox, 2001 D-Backs, 2024 Dodgers and the aforementioned 2005 White Sox were all top five in both quality starts and fewest meltdowns.
—Neil Paine, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Verb
The same goes for Redick, who did an admirable job in his first regular season before melting down in the playoffs.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
With a leftist New York City politician appearing likely to be the Democratic mayoral candidate for the U.S.’ largest city, business interests are melting down over the prospects of his tax-the-rich platform aimed at improving basic services.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 June 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 6 Jul. 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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