breakdown

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a cessation of normal operation

   there was a power breakdown

2. 2
   noun

   A failure, particularly one which is mechanical in nature.

   Whenever he was behind the wheel, he would panic at the first sign of a breakdown.

3. 3
   noun

   Something, such as a vehicle, that has experienced a mechanical failure.

   We saw a breakdown by the side of the road.

4. 4
   noun

   Separation of a thing into components; decomposition, fragmentation; (countable) an instance of this.

   Looking at the breakdown of the budget, I see a few items we could cut.

5. 5
   noun

   A failure in a relationship; a failure or loss of organization in a system.

   I am quite competent to answer all / Demands, in any such capacity— / But of the break-down of my general aims: […]

6. 6
   noun

   (Sudden) worsening of physical health or (more commonly) mental stability, resulting in an inability to carry on normal activities; (countable) an instance of this.

   After so much stress, he suffered a breakdown and simply gave up.

7. 7
   noun

   The short period of open play immediately after a tackle and before and during the ensuing ruck.

   England beat Georgia in their Pool B World Cup match in Dunedin but the stuttering nature of the performance will be of concern to manager Martin Johnson. Georgia, ranked 16th in the world, dominated the breakdown before half-time and forced England into a host of infringements, but fly-half Merab Kvirikashvili missed three penalties.

8. 8
   noun

   A part of a piece of music or a song which differs from the other parts in that it features improvisation or is stripped down (for example, played by fewer instruments or a solo performer).

   And now it's time for a breakdown.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰreg-der. Proto-Germanic *brekaną Proto-West Germanic *brekan Old English brecan Middle English breken English break Old English of- Proto-Germanic *dūnaz? Proto-Celtic *dūnomder.? Proto-West Germanic *dūnā Old English dūne Old English ofdūne Old English adūne Old English dūne Middle English doun English down English break downdeverb. English breakdown Deverbal from break down.