breakdown

Meaning

1. (countable) A failure, particularly one which is mechanical in nature.
2. (uncountable) A failure, particularly one which is mechanical in nature.
3. (countable) Something, such as a vehicle, that has experienced a mechanical failure.
4. (uncountable) Separation of a thing into components; decomposition, fragmentation; (countable) an instance of this.
5. (uncountable) Separation of a thing into components; decomposition, fragmentation; (countable) an instance of this.
6. (countable) Separation of a thing into components; decomposition, fragmentation; (countable) an instance of this.
7. (countable, figuratively) A failure in a relationship; a failure or loss of organization in a system.
8. (figuratively, uncountable) (Sudden) worsening of physical health or (more commonly) mental stability, resulting in an inability to carry on normal activities; (countable) an instance of this.
9. (figuratively, uncountable) Injury to a horse's leg causing lameness; (countable) an instance of this.
10. (countable, figuratively, uncountable) The short period of open play immediately after a tackle and before and during the ensuing ruck.
11. (attributive, countable, figuratively) An act of splitting logs of wood using a large saw in a sawmill; also, the saw used; or (rare) the building in which the process is carried out.
12. (countable, uncountable) A part of a piece of music or a song which differs from the other parts in that it features improvisation or is stripped down (for example, played by fewer instruments or a solo performer).
13. (countable, uncountable) Synonym of percussion break (“a percussion-focused segment of a song, chosen by a hip-hop DJ to manipulate through cutting, mixing, and other techniques in order to create rhythmic music”).
14. (countable, uncountable) A section of a song, typical in hardcore music and related styles (such as metalcore, grindcore, and deathcore), characterized by a lower tempo and greater heaviness and intensity of sound.
15. (Southern-US, countable, dated, uncountable) A noisy, rapid, shuffling dance engaged in competitively by a number of individuals or pairs in succession, common among African-Americans from the Southern United States; also, a lively event, chiefly in a rural setting, at which such dancing is done; a hoedown, a shindig.
16. (Southern-US, countable, uncountable) A piece of music played for such a dance, especially a rapid bluegrass tune featuring a five-string banjo.
17. (countable, obsolete) An act of a structure or other thing breaking and collapsing.

Synonyms

failure

collapse

breakage

decomposition

disintegration

decay

malfunction

fault

breakup

analysis

damage

crack-up

break

crash

rupture

stoppage

wreck

rot

take down

accident

subsidence

weakness

mischief

subdivision

classification

interruption

partitioning

wrecking

frustration

equipment failure

decompose

impairment

pull down

debacle

downfall

crisis

dislocation

debility

breaking up

destroy

disorder

defeat

fracture

repair

demolish

meltdown

cracking

cover

breaking open

conk

Translations

guasto

avería

Panne

avaria

desglose

κατάρρευση

avaria

panne

ανάλυση

panna

pana

Betriebsstörung

panne

Aufschlüsselung

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbɹeɪkdaʊn/

Etymology

Deverbal from break down.

Sentences

Having a nervous breakdown .