Definition

Noun: 1. A failure of a machine or system to function: A sudden stop in normal operation, often due to a mechanical or technical fault. 2. A collapse of mental or physical health: A state of severe physical or emotional exhaustion that prevents normal functioning. 3. The failure of a relationship, negotiation, or system: The process of something ending or failing, often after a period of deterioration. 4. A detailed analysis or classification: The separation of a complex whole into its constituent parts for examination.

Usage Examples

• Failure of a machine/system:
  • We were late due to a breakdown on the railway line.
  • The power breakdown lasted for several hours.
• Collapse of health:
  • The stress of the job led to his nervous breakdown.
  • She suffered a physical breakdown from overwork.
• Failure of a relationship/system:
  • The breakdown of communication caused the project to fail.
  • The breakdown of the peace talks was a major setback.
• Detailed analysis:
  • The accountant provided a breakdown of the monthly expenses.
  • Can you give me a cost breakdown for this proposal?

Advanced Usage

• "to have a breakdown": To experience a sudden failure, either mechanical or emotional.
  • Our car had a breakdown on the motorway.
  • After the traumatic event, she had a breakdown and needed professional help.

Variants and Related Words

• Break down (phrasal verb): The verb form meaning to stop functioning, to fail, to decompose, or to analyze into parts.
  • The car broke down. (stopped functioning)
  • Chemicals break down over time. (decompose)
  • Let's break down the problem into smaller steps. (analyze)
• Breakdown lane (noun): A lane on a highway for vehicles that have stopped due to a malfunction (also called a "hard shoulder" in British English).

Synonyms

• Failure: A lack of success or malfunction.
• Collapse: A sudden failure or complete breakdown.
• Analysis: Detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Break down: As shown above, this is the verb form from which the noun "breakdown" is derived. It covers all the meanings of the noun (to stop working, to fail, to decompose, to analyze).

Related Idioms

• Nervous breakdown: A common, though non-medical, term for a period of intense mental distress where a person cannot function in daily life.
  • The constant pressure at work caused him to have a nervous breakdown.

Noun

1. an analysis into mutually exclusive categories
2. a cessation of normal operation
   • there was a power breakdown
3. a mental or physical breakdown
4. the act of disrupting an established order so it fails to continue
   • the social dislocations resulting from government policies
   • his warning came after the breakdown of talks in London