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
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2024
During his tenure as secretary, Buttigieg had faced a number of crises: congestion at ports, the airline meltdown over Christmas, the train derailment in Ohio, the blowout of the Boeing plane, and recently the bridge collapse in Baltimore.
—Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News, 16 June 2024
JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
Just last week, the internet melted down over paparazzi photos of Josh O’Connor in a clerical collar on the set of Knives Out 3.
—Ellen O’Connell Whittet, Vogue, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for meltdown 
Noun
Even McIlroy, whose collapse on Sunday will go down as one of the biggest meltdowns in golf history, has gradually changed his stance on DeChambeau and the other LIV golfers who left the PGA Tour.
—Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2024
During his tenure as secretary, Buttigieg had faced a number of crises: congestion at ports, the airline meltdown over Christmas, the train derailment in Ohio, the blowout of the Boeing plane, and recently the bridge collapse in Baltimore.
—Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News, 16 June 2024
Verb
The original inspiration for the now-ubiquitous equestrian statue, a classical bronze of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, was almost melted down and lost forever.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
Just last week, the internet melted down over paparazzi photos of Josh O’Connor in a clerical collar on the set of Knives Out 3.
—Ellen O’Connell Whittet, Vogue, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for meltdown
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'meltdown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near meltdown
Cite this Entry
“Meltdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meltdown. Accessed 2 Jul. 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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