collapse

Noun

• a sudden large decline of business or the prices of stocks (especially one that causes additional failures)

• the act of throwing yourself down
  • he landed on the bed with a great flop
    

• a natural event caused by something suddenly falling down or caving in
  • the roof is in danger of collapse
    
  • the collapse of the old star under its own gravity
    

• an abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion
  • the commander's prostration demoralized his men
    

Verb

• lose significance, effectiveness, or value
  • The school system is collapsing
    
  • The stock market collapsed
    

• suffer a nervous breakdown

• cause to burst
  • The ice broke the pipe
    

• fall apart
  • the building crumbled after the explosion
    
  • Negotiations broke down
    

• fold or close up
  • fold up your umbrella
    
  • collapse the music stand
    

• collapse due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack

• break down, literally or metaphorically
  • The wall collapsed
    
  • The business collapsed
    
  • The dam broke
    
  • The roof collapsed
    
  • The wall gave in
    
  • The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  crash , flop , prostration , crack up , crack , crock up , break up , burst , crumble , crumple , tumble , break down , fall in , cave in , give , give way , break , founder