break·down

break·down
/ˈbreıkˌdaʊn/ noun, pl -downs
1 : a failure of a machine to function : an occurrence in which a machine (such as a car) stops working
[count]

We had a breakdown on the highway. [=our car broke down on the highway; our car stopped working on the highway]

The factory has had frequent equipment breakdowns.

[noncount]

Frequent equipment breakdown [=(more commonly) failure] has been a problem at the factory.

2 a [count] : the failure of a relationship or of an effort to discuss something

There has been a breakdown of/in negotiations. [=negotiations have broken down; negotiations have failed]

Both sides are to blame for the breakdown in communication.

The irretrievable breakdown of a marriage can be grounds for divorce.

2 b : a failure that prevents a system from working properly
[count]

trying to prevent a breakdown of the health-care system

[noncount]

trying to prevent breakdown of the health-care system

Analysts predict that the country is headed for economic breakdown. [=meltdown]

3 [count] : a sudden failure of mental or physical health that makes someone unable to live normally

He suffered/had a breakdown after his wife died.

a total physical/mental breakdown [=collapse]

— see also ↑nervous breakdown
4 : the process or result of showing the different parts of something in order to understand it more clearly
[count]

Doing/Providing a breakdown of the statistics into categories will take time.

I want a detailed breakdown of the statistics into categories.

[noncount]

The library's database enables breakdown by title, author, and genre.

5 [noncount] : the process or result of separating a substance into simpler parts

the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen

observing cell/tissue/protein breakdown

a substance that resists breakdown

— see also break down at ↑break, 1

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • break down — {v.} (stress on down ) 1. To smash or hit (something) so that it falls; cause to fall by force. * /The firemen broke down the door./ 2. To reduce or destroy the strength or effect of; weaken; win over. * /By helpful kindness the teacher broke… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • break down — {v.} (stress on down ) 1. To smash or hit (something) so that it falls; cause to fall by force. * /The firemen broke down the door./ 2. To reduce or destroy the strength or effect of; weaken; win over. * /By helpful kindness the teacher broke… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • break down — (something) 1. to divide something into smaller parts. The quickest way to get this job done is to break it down into a number of specific steps. 2. to cause something to weaken or decay. Temperatures were high enough to break down the chemicals …   New idioms dictionary

  • break down — (someone) 1. to cause someone to become emotional. Andy broke down and cried several times during his retirement speech. 2. to weaken someone. I felt so good, I felt like nothing could break me down or make me sick …   New idioms dictionary

  • break-down — ● break down nom masculin invariable (anglais breakdown, effondrement) Synonyme de dépression nerveuse. ● break down (synonymes) nom masculin invariable (anglais breakdown, effondrement) Synonymes : dépression nerveuse …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • break down — ► break down 1) suddenly cease to function or continue. 2) lose control of one s emotions when in distress. Main Entry: ↑break …   English terms dictionary

  • break|down — «BRAYK DOWN», noun, adjective. –n. 1. a) failure to work: »Lack of oil caused a breakdown in the motor. b) failure; collapse: »... the breakdown of the old regime (Edmund Wilson). 2. loss of health; w …   Useful english dictionary

  • break down — index classify, codify, damage, decay, erode, overcome (overwhelm), pigeonhole, stall …   Law dictionary

  • break down — ( )brāk dau̇n vt to separate (as a chemical compound) into simpler substances: DECOMPOSE vi 1) to stop functioning because of breakage or wear 2) to undergo decomposition …   Medical dictionary

  • break down — *analyze, resolve, dissect Contrasted words: concatenate, articulate, *integrate …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • break down — verb 1. make ineffective (Freq. 3) Martin Luther King tried to break down racial discrimination • Syn: ↑crush • Derivationally related forms: ↑breakdown • Hypernyms: ↑change, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

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