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
Amy Feldman, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
On March 28, 1979, the Unit 2 reactor core at the Three Mile Island plant partially melted down when equipment malfunctions, compounded by human operator errors, caused a water pump failure that resulted in a loss of coolant to the reactor, according to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 20 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
It’s been 45 years since a nuclear reactor Three Mile Island near Middletown, Pennsylvania, melted down in what was the most serious accident in U.S. commercial nuclear plant operating history.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
On March 28, 1979, the Unit 2 reactor core at the Three Mile Island plant partially melted down when equipment malfunctions, compounded by human operator errors, caused a water pump failure that resulted in a loss of coolant to the reactor, according to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 20 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 17 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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