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)
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
Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Despite years of financial struggle, but the meltdown has come quickly and shockingly to many.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2025
Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2025
Instead, the focus will be trying to harness his energy and keep him from melting down.
—Marc Caputo, Axios, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
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Noun
By staying out, the president could expect to be blamed not only for permitting the economic meltdown that China’s invasion would trigger but also for losing Taiwan after a decades-long battle of wills between Washington and Beijing over the island’s future.
—Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Despite years of financial struggle, but the meltdown has come quickly and shockingly to many.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
Instead, the Chiefs melted down during a key stretch late in the first half and lost 40-22 to the Eagles.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2025
Instead, the focus will be trying to harness his energy and keep him from melting down.
—Marc Caputo, Axios, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
Cite this Entry
“Meltdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meltdown. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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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