breakdown

[breyk-doun]

noun

1. a breaking down, wearing out, or sudden loss of ability to function efficiently, as of a machine.

2. a loss of mental or physical health; collapse.

3. an analysis or classification of something; division into parts, categories, processes, etc.

4. Chemistry.

   1. decomposition.

   2. analysis.

5. Electricity.,  an electric discharge passing through faulty insulation or other material used to separate circuits or passing between electrodes in a vacuum or gas-filled tube.

6. a noisy, lively folk dance.

Word History and Origins

Origin of breakdown¹

First recorded in 1825–35; noun use of verb phrase break down

Example Sentences

Here is a breakdown of how the story unfolded.

From BBC

This implies a breakdown in shift from the 19th century authoritarian artistic domination of a music director that still holds just about everywhere to a more democratic and utopian concept.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a recipe for joblessness, family breakdown and addiction.

From BBC

Ms Young, a teaching assistant, struggled for years with mental health issues and was under stress from marriage breakdown and relocation, according to a coroner's Prevention of Future Deaths Report.

From BBC

"When there is an opportunity with these breakdowns, you've got to be really physical. We didn't have that physicality, we just need to make sure defensively we are making the most in our one-on-one tackles."

From BBC

Related Words

• disintegration 
• disruption 
• failure 
• mishap 
• nervous breakdown