breakdown

1 of 2

noun

break·​down ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce breakdown (audio)
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

break down

2 of 2

verb

broke down; broken down; breaking down; breaks down

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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
Choose the Right Synonym for breakdown

analyze, dissect, break down mean to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements.

analyze suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (such as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships.

analyzed the collected data

dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny.

commentators dissected every word of the speech

break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions.

break down the budget

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
Noun
Here's a breakdown of different ways to add more whole grains to your daily menu beyond having a slice of whole wheat toast for breakfast every morning. Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 Here is a breakdown of salary ranges for starting, average, and mid-to-experience level salaries, along with some examples of common CFA® and CPA job roles, according to Payscale and CareerEmployer. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2024 This would reduce the biological breakdown that occurs in organs after even a few minutes without oxygen. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024 According to the Mayo Clinic, Gilbert syndrome is a common, harmless liver condition in which the liver doesn’t properly process bilirubin, a yellow-orange substance produced by the breakdown of red blood cells and passed through bile. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Its most recent breakdown of casualties recorded in hospitals shows women and children make up 58% of those deaths. Aya Batrawy, NPR, 29 Feb. 2024 Here's a breakdown of how the cost of living in these three cities compares with the nation. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024 On Friday, the U.S. Department of Education released a state-by-state breakdown of borrowers receiving forgiveness under the Saving on a Valuable Education plan. Cortlynn Stark, Sacramento Bee, 23 Feb. 2024 Here is a breakdown of CMA certificates in recent years. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024
Verb
Try Subdividing Your Goals, a new report in Wharton's business review, explains Wharton research that finds breaking down big work goals into smaller components can enhance long-term success significantly. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2024 To be sure, the theory of lipstick sales and economic health being inversely proportional can be hard to break down in the broader beauty category. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 5 Mar. 2024 In January, rioters attacked the St. John Bosco school, trying to break down its gates and reach food stocks donated by the UN’s World Food Programme, according to the administrator. Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Part of the difficulty crews are facing during this storm is blowers breaking down due to the severe conditions. Sacramento Bee, 3 Mar. 2024 Leaders must break down the institutional hurdles that stymie women's growth and create workplaces where diversity is embraced and recognized as a significant source of creativity and resilience. Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 David Halls, the first assistant director of the Alec Baldwin western Rust, broke down during his testimony on Thursday recalling his last interaction with shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024 The Mount Everest Biogas Project is attempting to develop a system to break down the waste that’s developed in the area as a result of the mountain’s popularity. Colleen Grablick, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024 In physics, a singularity is a point in reality where the rules break down, and rapid expansion of the fabric of space-time can occur. Popular Science, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breakdown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of breakdown was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near breakdown

Cite this Entry

“Breakdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breakdown. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

breakdown

1 of 2 noun
break·​down ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n How to pronounce breakdown (audio)
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 verb
ˈbrāk-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 How to pronounce breakdown (audio)
: 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

intransitive verb

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

More from Merriam-Webster on breakdown

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