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Synonyms

meltdown

American  
[melt-doun] / ˈmɛltˌdaʊn /

noun

  1. the melting of a significant portion of a nuclear-reactor core due to inadequate cooling of the fuel elements, a condition that could lead to the escape of radiation.

  2. a quickly developing breakdown or collapse.

    a bond-market meltdown;

    the meltdown of a marriage.

  3. Informal. a sudden loss of control over one’s feelings or behavior.

    My toddler had a meltdown when I tried to leave the house.
meltdown British  
/ ˈmɛltˌdaʊn /

noun

  1. (in a nuclear reactor) the melting of the fuel rods as a result of a defect in the cooling system, with the possible escape of radiation into the environment

  2. informal a sudden disastrous failure with potential for widespread harm, as a stock-exchange crash

  3. informal the process or state of irreversible breakdown or decline

    the community is slowly going into meltdown
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
meltdown Scientific  
/ mĕlt′doun′ /

  1. Severe overheating of a nuclear reactor core, resulting in melting of the core and escape of radiation.

meltdown Cultural  

  1. The most serious accident that can occur at a nuclear reactor. In a meltdown, the radioactive material in the reactor becomes very hot, melting some or all of the fuel in the reactor. A meltdown may or may not be followed by the release of radioactive material to the environment. A partial meltdown, with very little external radiation, occurred at Three Mile Island (see also Three Mile Island) in 1979; a complete meltdown happened at Chernobyl in 1986.

Etymology

Origin of meltdown

First recorded in 1960–65; noun use of verb phrase melt down

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I looked at Regan, waiting for her to join me in my meltdown, but to my surprise she had a familiar smile on her face.

From Literature

The computer-system meltdown that hobbled the rollout of Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” and concert ticket prices hitting the $1,000 mark renewed focus on the deal.

From The Wall Street Journal

Depending on the week, the club is either in total command of the Premier League, closing in on a first title in 22 years, or on the verge of a meltdown.

From The Wall Street Journal

According to therapy notes from when she was 13, seeing unfiltered photos a friend had taken on her phone caused her to have “a meltdown.”

From Los Angeles Times

Being made to do something triggers a reaction, which can be a panic attack or meltdown or potentially aggression.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.