HOW TO PRONOUNCE
breakdown
/ˈbɹeɪkˌdaʊn/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:55
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What does breakdown mean?
noun
- A failure, particularly one which is mechanical in nature.
- The sudden (and usually damaging) transition of an electrical insulator to a conductor when subjected to a sufficiently strong voltage, caused by the partial or complete ionization of the insulator; (countable) an instance of this; also, the minimum voltage at which this occurs.
- Something, such as a vehicle, that has experienced a mechanical failure.
More meanings (14)
noun
- Detailed categorization, or itemization or listing, of the components of a thing; (countable) an instance of this.
- Breaking of chemical bonds within a compound to produce simpler compounds or elements; (countable) an instance of this.
- A detailed description of a forthcoming project or screenplay which identifies all the required elements, such as the cast, costumes, equipment, props, and special effects.
- (figuratively) A failure in a relationship; a failure or loss of organization in a system.
- (figuratively) (Sudden) worsening of physical health or (more commonly) mental stability, resulting in an inability to carry on normal activities; (countable) an instance of this.
- (figuratively) Injury to a horse's leg causing lameness; (countable) an instance of this.
- (figuratively) The short period of open play immediately after a tackle and before and during the ensuing ruck.
- (figuratively) An act of splitting logs of wood using a large saw in a sawmill; also, the saw used; or (rare) the building in which the process is carried out.
- A part of a piece of music or a song which differs from the other parts in that it features improvisation or is stripped down (for example, played by fewer instruments or a solo performer).
- Synonym of percussion break (“a percussion-focused segment of a song, chosen by a hip-hop DJ to manipulate through cutting, mixing, and other techniques in order to create rhythmic music”).
- A section of a song, typical in hardcore music and related styles (such as metalcore, grindcore, and deathcore), characterized by a lower tempo and greater heaviness and intensity of sound.
- A piece of music played for such a dance, especially a rapid bluegrass tune featuring a five-string banjo.
- (dated) A noisy, rapid, shuffling dance engaged in competitively by a number of individuals or pairs in succession, common among African-Americans from the Southern United States; also, a lively event, chiefly in a rural setting, at which such dancing is done; a hoedown, a shindig.
- (obsolete) An act of a structure or other thing breaking and collapsing.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈbɹeɪkˌdaʊn/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
Auxiliary rudders were also fitted in case of a breakdown of the main steering gear abaft the after gondola.
The organic matter created there increases nutrient availability and accelerates the breakdown of rock particles, further increasing the creation of organic matter.
More book examples (2)
The motor develops 40-50 horse-power and, in one type, in order to mitigate the risk of breakdown or disablement, all four wheels are driven.
Nevertheless, his high excitability and his quick fatigue made it necessary to shelter him, for any effort at toughening merely brought about a "breakdown."