melt·down
ˈmelt-ˌdau̇n 
1
: the accidental melting of the core of a nuclear reactor
2
: a rapid or disastrous decline or collapse
3
: a breakdown of self-control (as from fatigue or overstimulation)
Synonyms
Examples of meltdown in a Sentence
Noun
fears that an accident could cause meltdown
a company experiencing financial meltdown
After a long day at the beach, our toddler had a major meltdown in the car on the way home.
Verb
rather than melt down, the team strengthened their resolve and ended up winning the game
Recent Examples on the Web
Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Advertisement But the Yankees suffered an epic defensive meltdown in the top of the fifth, committing two physical errors and one mental gaffe that allowed the Dodgers to score five unearned runs and tie the score 5-5.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Kat Romero, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2024
The reactor that Constellation plans to reopen, Unit 1, is not the one the partially melted down in 1979.
—Spencer Kimball,gabriel Cortés, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for meltdown 
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Noun
Season 47 of the long-running reality competition show on CBS has already seen plenty of twists and turns, from emotional meltdowns to thrilling blindsides.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Advertisement But the Yankees suffered an epic defensive meltdown in the top of the fifth, committing two physical errors and one mental gaffe that allowed the Dodgers to score five unearned runs and tie the score 5-5.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
Find it on Amazon This Cleansing Balm Melts Away the Day
This balm slowly melts down makeup and works to remove all dirt and impurities while offering a burst of hydration.
—Kat Romero, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2024
The reactor that Constellation plans to reopen, Unit 1, is not the one the partially melted down in 1979.
—Spencer Kimball,gabriel Cortés, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for meltdown
Dictionary Entries Near meltdown
Cite this Entry
“Meltdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meltdown. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
meltdown
noun
melt·down
ˈmelt-ˌdau̇n
1
: the accidental melting of the core of a nuclear reactor
2
: a rapid or disastrous decline or collapse
a financial meltdown
3
: a breakdown of self-control (as from fatigue or overstimulation)
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