break·down
ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n 
1
: the action or result of breaking down: such as
a
: a failure to function
preventing a breakdown of the health care system
b
: failure to progress or have effect : disintegration
a breakdown of negotiations
c
: a complete loss of physical, mental, or emotional vitality : a physical, mental, or nervous collapse
d
: the process of decomposing
the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen
cellular breakdown
e
: division into categories
a statistical breakdown of data
: classification
also
: an account analyzed into categories
a budget breakdown
2
: a fast shuffling dance
also
: music for such a dance
broke down; broken down; breaking down; breaks down
1
a
: to cause to fall or collapse by breaking or shattering
b
: to make ineffective
break down legal barriers
2
a
: to divide into parts or categories
b
: to separate (something, such as a chemical compound) into simpler substances : decompose
c
: to take apart especially for storage or shipment and for later reassembling
1
a
: to stop functioning because of breakage or wear
b
: to become inoperative or ineffective : fail
negotiations broke down
c
: to fail in strength or vitality
her health broke down
d
: to succumb to mental or emotional stress
broke down and cried
e
: to lose one's resolve : give in
finally broke down and bought a computer
2
of horses
: to severely injure the supporting ligament or bones of the fetlock joint
3
a
: to be susceptible to or undergo analysis or subdivision
the statistics break down like this
b
: to undergo decomposition
Synonyms
Examples of breakdown in a Sentence
Noun
The factory has had frequent equipment breakdowns.
Both sides are to blame for the breakdown in communication.
The irretrievable breakdown of a marriage can be grounds for divorce.
trying to prevent a breakdown of the health-care system
trying to prevent breakdown of the health-care system
He suffered a breakdown after his wife died.
Verb
when presented with the pile of files, the first thing he did was to break them down by month, order within the month, and region
the enamel of a human tooth will begin to break down when exposed to sugar for too long
Recent Examples on the Web
Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Here's a county-by-county breakdown of how the 2024 foliage is predicted to change across the U.S.:
Best month for fall foliage in 2024
Why do leaves change color?
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 20 Nov. 2024
Rajat Bhargava, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Tom Daykin breaks down the highly visible construction.
—Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for breakdown 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Here's the breakdown When is the McRib making its Michigan return?
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Here's a county-by-county breakdown of how the 2024 foliage is predicted to change across the U.S.:
Best month for fall foliage in 2024
Why do leaves change color?
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
As generative AI tools proliferate and employees experiment with everything from code generation to data analysis, traditional IT visibility is breaking down.
—Rajat Bhargava, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Tom Daykin breaks down the highly visible construction.
—Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for breakdown
Dictionary Entries Near breakdown
Cite this Entry
“Breakdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breakdown. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
breakdown
1 of 2 noun
break·down
ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n
1
a
: a failure to function properly
b
: a physical, mental, or nervous collapse
2
3
: division into categories : classification
break down
2 of 2 verbˈbrāk-ˈdau̇n
1
: to stop working properly
the car broke down on the highway
2
a
: to separate (as a chemical compound) into simpler substances : decompose
b
: to go through decomposition
3
: to separate or become separated into parts or groups
this report breaks down into three sections
4
a
: to become overwhelmed by strong emotion
broke down and cried
b
: to lose the strength to resist or fight
broke down and confessed
5
: to use force to push (something) to the ground
break down a door
Medical Definition
breakdown
1 of 3 noun
break·down
ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n
: the action or result of breaking down: as
a
: a failure to function
b
: a physical, mental, or nervous collapse
c
: the process of decomposing
breakdown of food during digestion
breakdown
2 of 3 adjective
: obtained or resulting from disintegration or decomposition of a substance
a breakdown product of purine
break down
3 of 3 transitive verb
: to separate (as a chemical compound) into simpler substances : decompose
1
a
: to stop functioning because of breakage or wear
b
: to fail in strength or vitality
c
: to succumb to mental or emotional stress
2
of horses
: to severely injure the supporting ligament or bones of the fetlock joint
3
: to undergo decomposition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share