breakdown Meaning & Definition
What Does Breakdown Mean?
As a noun, breakdown means the action or result of breaking down. It is also used to mean a failure to function.
Word Facts for Breakdown
| Part of speech | noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | partitioning, dislocation and crack-up |
| Antonyms | aplomb, calmness and composure |
| Plural | breakdowns |
| First known use | 1786 |
Breakdown Definition (Noun)
- the action or result of breaking down: such as
- a failure to function
preventing a breakdown of the health care system
- failure to progress or have effect : disintegration
a breakdown of negotiations
- a complete loss of physical, mental, or emotional vitality : a physical, mental, or nervous collapse
- the process of decomposing
the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen / cellular breakdown
- division into categories : classification
a statistical breakdown of data
- an account analyzed into categories
a budget breakdown
- a fast shuffling dance
- music for such a dance
Synonyms of Breakdown
Antonyms of Breakdown
Breakdown in a Sentence
Whenever he was behind the wheel, he would panic at the first sign of a breakdown.
We saw a breakdown by the side of the road.
Looking at the breakdown of the budget, I see a few items we could cut.
After so much stress, he suffered a breakdown and simply gave up.
preventing a breakdown of the health care system
a breakdown of negotiations
the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen
cellular breakdown
a statistical breakdown of data
a budget breakdown
if you don't ease your workload, you're going to have a breakdown
the breakdown of the body was arrested by the embalming process
the boss wanted a detailed breakdown of the sales figures
the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen / cellular breakdown
Word Forms & Grammar
breakdown
breakdowns
breakdown (countable and uncountable, plural breakdowns)
Words That Rhyme With Breakdown
Origin of Breakdown
Deverbal from break down.[1]
First Known Use
1786
Breakdown Pronunciation
Breakdown is pronounced /ˈbrāk-ˌdau̇n/ and has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (brāk).
Quick Answers About Breakdown
What part of speech is breakdown?
Breakdown is a noun.
What is another word for breakdown?
You can replace breakdown with words such as partitioning, dislocation and crack-up. See the full list of breakdown synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of breakdown?
The opposite of breakdown can be expressed with words like aplomb, calmness, composure and coolness.
What is the plural of breakdown?
The plural of breakdown is breakdowns.