breakdown

noun

(countable) A failure, particularly one which is mechanical in nature.

(countable) Something, such as a vehicle, that has experienced a mechanical failure.

(uncountable) Separation of a thing into components; decomposition, fragmentation; (countable) an instance of this.

(uncountable) Detailed categorization, or itemization or listing, of the components of a thing; (countable) an instance of this.

(figurative) (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.

(figurative) (countable) A failure in a relationship; a failure or loss of organization in a system.

(physics, uncountable) The sudden (and usually damaging) transition of an electrical insulator to a conductor when subjected to a sufficiently strong voltage, caused by the partial or complete ionization of the insulator; (countable) an instance of this; also, the minimum voltage at which this occurs.

(chemistry, uncountable) Breaking of chemical bonds within a compound to produce simpler compounds or elements; (countable) an instance of this.

(film, television, countable) A detailed description of a forthcoming project or screenplay which identifies all the required elements, such as the cast, costumes, equipment, props, and special effects.

(figurative) (rugby union, countable and uncountable with the) The short period of open play immediately after a tackle and before and during the ensuing ruck.

(music, countable) 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).

(music, countable) 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”).

(music, countable) 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.

(figurative) (veterinary medicine, uncountable) Injury to a horse's leg causing lameness; (countable) an instance of this.

(music) A piece of music played for such a dance, especially a rapid bluegrass tune featuring a five-string banjo.

(figurative) (originally and chiefly New Zealand, countable, chiefly attributive) 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.

(chiefly Southern US, countable)

(dance, dated) 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.

(obsolete, countable) An act of a structure or other thing breaking and collapsing.

Synonyms for breakdown

smashup crackup breakupn decompositionn collapsen breakagen dilapidationn downfalln wreckn

Synonyms & related words for breakdown

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of breakdown — including smashup, crackup, breakup, decomposition, collapse, breakage. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to breakdown

Explore words related to breakdown — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include histolysis, dislocation, disintegration, meltdown, rupture, breaks, malfunction, partitioning. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for breakdown

Common synonyms for breakdown include smashup, crackup, breakup, decomposition, collapse, breakage, dilapidation, downfall — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.