What does "breakdown" mean?

1. (mechanical failure) a situation where a vehicle or machine stops working. 2. (detailed analysis) a list of all the separate parts of something, like a bill or a report. 3. (mental health collapse) a period of mental illness that makes it impossible to live your life normally. 4. (failure of a system) when a relationship, a talk, or a system stops working or fails. 5. (musical section) a part of a song where the music changes, often becoming simpler or heavier. 6. (chemical decomposition) the process of a substance rotting or breaking into smaller parts.

breakdown

US //ˈbɹeɪkˌdaʊn// UK //bɹˈeɪkdaʊn// break·down

1 mechanical failure (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a situation where a vehicle or machine stops working.

a mechanical failure, typically involving a motor vehicle or industrial machinery, that prevents continued operation.

Example

The heavy rain caused a breakdown of the heating system in the office.

Example

The frequent mechanical breakdowns of the aging fleet have led to significant delays in the city's public transport schedule.
2 detailed analysis (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a list of all the separate parts of something, like a bill or a report.

the division of a total into its constituent parts for the purpose of detailed analysis or explanation.

Example

Can you give me a breakdown of the costs for the kitchen renovation?

Example

The financial report provides a comprehensive breakdown of expenditure across all regional departments for the final fiscal quarter.
- analysis
- classification
- itemization

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3 mental health collapse (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

a period of mental illness that makes it impossible to live your life normally.

a period of acute mental distress or psychological collapse that renders an individual unable to function in daily life.

Example

He suffered a nervous breakdown after working too many hours for months.

Example

The intense pressure of the executive role eventually led to a complete physical and mental breakdown, requiring several months of clinical recovery.
- collapse
- crisis
4 failure of a system (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

when a relationship, a talk, or a system stops working or fails.

the collapse or failure of a relationship, process, or social structure.

Example

The breakdown of communication between the two countries led to a trade war.

Example

Sociologists are studying the breakdown of traditional family structures in rapidly urbanizing environments.
- success
- agreement
5 musical section (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Music

a part of a song where the music changes, often becoming simpler or heavier.

a section of a musical composition characterized by a reduction in instrumentation or a shift to a heavy, rhythmic focus.

Example

The crowd started dancing wildly during the heavy breakdown in the middle of the song.

Example

The track features a sophisticated breakdown where the percussion takes center stage, stripping away the melodic layers to emphasize the rhythmic complexity.
6 chemical decomposition (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

the process of a substance rotting or breaking into smaller parts.

the chemical or biological decomposition of a substance into its constituent elements.

Example

Bacteria help with the breakdown of organic waste in the soil.

Example

The enzyme is responsible for the rapid breakdown of complex carbohydrates into simple sugars during the digestive process.
- synthesis

Origin

Deverbal from break down.