# breakdown

/ˈbɹeɪkˌdaʊn/ (US) · /bɹˈeɪkdaʊn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/breakdown
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. mechanical failure

noun · CEFR B1

a situation where a vehicle or machine stops working.

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

- The heavy rain caused a breakdown of the heating system in the office.
- The frequent mechanical breakdowns of the aging fleet have led to significant delays in the city's public transport schedule.

### 2. detailed analysis

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- Can you give me a breakdown of the costs for the kitchen renovation?
- The financial report provides a comprehensive breakdown of expenditure across all regional departments for the final fiscal quarter.

### 3. mental health collapse

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- He suffered a nervous breakdown after working too many hours for months.
- The intense pressure of the executive role eventually led to a complete physical and mental breakdown, requiring several months of clinical recovery.

### 4. failure of a system

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The breakdown of communication between the two countries led to a trade war.
- Sociologists are studying the breakdown of traditional family structures in rapidly urbanizing environments.

### 5. musical section

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

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

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- Bacteria help with the breakdown of organic waste in the soil.
- The enzyme is responsible for the rapid breakdown of complex carbohydrates into simple sugars during the digestive process.

## Examples

- The car had a breakdown on the highway.
- The accountant provided a full breakdown of the project costs to show where the money was spent.
- A sudden nervous breakdown can occur when the cumulative stress of professional and personal obligations exceeds an individual's psychological capacity to cope.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.