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
AFAR Media, 5 Sep. 2025
The film looks at the key role of political cartoons in global democracies, the decline of the profession amid a newspaper industry meltdown and the effects of extreme political partisanship on media and editorial cartooning.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Mike Kaye
september 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Mickey Gasper drove in a career-high three runs, and Matt Wallner hit his 21st home run of the season, but Minnesota’s bullpen melted down in the seventh inning and the White Sox rallied to sweep a four-game series with a 11-8 victory Thursday at nearly empty Target Field.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
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Noun
The cancellations left travelers stranded, most notably during the summer of 2022 and the holiday meltdown that same year.
—AFAR Media, 5 Sep. 2025
The film looks at the key role of political cartoons in global democracies, the decline of the profession amid a newspaper industry meltdown and the effects of extreme political partisanship on media and editorial cartooning.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
Some teams look fantastic before melting down within a few weeks (2024 New Orleans Saints) and others can get off to a rough start before blossoming within the first two months (2024 Washington Commanders).
—Mike Kaye
september 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Mickey Gasper drove in a career-high three runs, and Matt Wallner hit his 21st home run of the season, but Minnesota’s bullpen melted down in the seventh inning and the White Sox rallied to sweep a four-game series with a 11-8 victory Thursday at nearly empty Target Field.
—John Shipley, Twin Cities, 5 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 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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