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
Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
But that hasn’t staunched a meltdown of late and 27 blown saves.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2025
Cairo, Egypt Reuters — A 3,000-year-old gold bracelet that disappeared from an Egyptian museum earlier this month was stolen and melted down, the country’s Interior Ministry said on Thursday.
—CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
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Noun
The Lynx, who blew a 20-point third-quarter lead in Tuesday’s 89-83 overtime Game 2 loss, had a defensive meltdown early in the fourth as the Mercury scored the first seven points, including four at the rim, for a 70-67 lead.
—Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
But that hasn’t staunched a meltdown of late and 27 blown saves.
—Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
An ancient gold bracelet belonging to an Egyptian pharaoh that had disappeared from a museum in Cairo was stolen and later melted down, the country's Interior Ministry said Thursday.
—Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2025
Cairo, Egypt Reuters — A 3,000-year-old gold bracelet that disappeared from an Egyptian museum earlier this month was stolen and melted down, the country’s Interior Ministry said on Thursday.
—CNN Money, 18 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 30 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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