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
John Towfighi, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025
Since the market meltdown, stocks have managed to claw back a substantial portion of their losses, partially due to the notion that DeepSeek’s emergence could benefit the technology space.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 5 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
The app meltdown cost the company $100 million, the CFO estimated late last year.
—John Towfighi, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025
Since the market meltdown, stocks have managed to claw back a substantial portion of their losses, partially due to the notion that DeepSeek’s emergence could benefit the technology space.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 5 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
Dictionary Entries Near meltdown
Cite this Entry
“Meltdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meltdown. Accessed 22 Feb. 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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