letdown

1 of 2

noun

let·​down ˈlet-ˌdau̇n 

1

a

: discouragement, disappointment

his latest novel is a letdown

b

: a slackening of effort : relaxation

2

: the descent of an aircraft or spacecraft to the point at which a landing approach is begun

3

: a physiological response of a lactating mammal to suckling and allied stimuli whereby previously secreted milk from the acini is expelled into ducts and drawn through the nipple

let down

2 of 2

verb

let down; letting down; lets down

transitive verb

1

: to allow to descend gradually

2

a

: to fail to support

felt her parents had let her down

b

: disappoint

the plot lets you down at the end

afraid of letting his father down

Synonyms

Noun

• disappointment
• dismay
• dissatisfaction
• frustration

Verb

• cheat
• disappoint
• dissatisfy
• fail

Examples of letdown in a Sentence

Noun

the museum exhibit was just so-so, and we returned home with a vague sense of letdown

the eagerly anticipated new movie starring our favorite actor turned out to be a big letdown

Verb

with my poor performance I really felt that I had let my teammates down

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Did returning to recording to the normal show feel like a letdown? —James Grebey, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2024

Photo : Mercedes 2005: A Return to Form for the S For all its appeal, the W220 was seen by some as a letdown compared with its predecessors (poor quality control on some early-build versions didn’t set a great tone). —Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2024

Verb

Dalmau’s growing support was not directly related to more Puerto Ricans supporting independence, but a response from a growing body of voters who felt let down by both traditional parties. —Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024

Isaac views his current predicament as punishment for letting down everyone in his life, before and after his death. —Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

letdown

1 of 2 noun

let·​down ˈlet-ˌdau̇n 

1

: disappointment sense 2

2

: a slackening of effort

let down

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)let-ˈdau̇n

1

: to fail to help or support

let down a friend in a crisis

2

: to fail to come up to expectations : disappoint

the end of the story lets the reader down

Medical Definition

letdown

1 of 2 noun

ˈlet-ˌdau̇n

: a physiological response of a lactating mammal to suckling and allied stimuli whereby increased intramammary pressure forces previously secreted milk from the acini and finer tubules into the main collecting ducts from where it can be drawn through the nipple

let down

2 of 2 transitive verb

-ˈdau̇n 

: to release (formed milk) within the mammary gland or udder