meltdown
n.-
1 nuclear failure (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Sciencea very dangerous accident where the center of a nuclear power plant gets too hot and melts.
the melting of a nuclear reactor core due to a failure of the cooling system, often leading to the release of radiation.
ExampleThe safety systems prevented a total meltdown after the earthquake damaged the power plant.
ExampleEngineers worked around the clock to prevent a full-scale meltdown, as the rising temperatures in the reactor core threatened the containment structure.
UsageOften used with 'nuclear' or 'reactor'.
- nuclear accident
- core melt
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2 emotional outburst (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Psychologya sudden loss of control over your feelings, often involving crying or shouting because of too much stress.
an episode of intense emotional distress or a loss of self-control, frequently triggered by overwhelming stress or sensory overload.
ExampleThe toddler had a complete meltdown in the supermarket because he couldn't have the toy.
ExampleAfter weeks of working overtime without a break, he suffered a public meltdown during the board meeting.
Teacher's tipWhile often used for children's tantrums, in a psychological context it specifically describes an involuntary response to being overwhelmed.
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3 economic or systemic crash (n.) C1 Advanced Academic Formala sudden and complete failure of a system, like the stock market or a large company.
a sudden, disastrous collapse of a financial or social system.
ExampleThe global financial meltdown of 2008 affected millions of homeowners.
ExampleEconomists warned that a sudden increase in interest rates could trigger a market meltdown, destabilizing the fragile recovery.
Deverbal from melt down.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated June 20, 2026