Dictionary

break down en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• audio Wisconsin
• audio Colorado

Meanings

1. (alt-of, alternative) Alternative form of breakdown.
   alt of breakdown

Forms

Relateds

melt down

break down en · VERB

Pronunciation

• audio Wisconsin
• audio Colorado

Meanings

1. (intransitive, of a machine, qualifier:vehicle, usually) To stop functioning.
   • "We love our little diesel trains. They potter up and down. They break down. The C6 overhaul is only a temporary answer. By the time they are replaced, they will be 45 years old. 2026 February 18, Paul Clifton, “West of England Line problems laid bare”, in RAIL, number 1055, page 7:
   • I am afraid my computer will break down if I try to run it at too high a speed.
2. (intransitive) To unexpectedly collapse, physically or in structure.
3. (transitive) To intentionally demolish; to pull down.
4. (intransitive) To fail, especially socially or for political reasons.
   • Talks broke down between Prime Minister John Doe and the opposition party.
   • And it all breaks down at the role reversal Got the muse in my head, she's universal Spinning me round, she's coming over me 1996, Placebo, “Nancy Boy”:
   • Relations broke down between Greece and Turkey.
5. (idiomatic, intransitive) To give in or give up: relent, concede, surrender.
   • Is it worth taking it to a repair shop, or should I just break down and buy a new one?
6. (ergative, figuratively) To render or to become unstable due to stress, to collapse physically or mentally.
   • As to Ernest... He is quite as nervously broken down as I am but it manifests itself in different ways. His inclination is towards megalomania and mine towards melancholy. 1936 Sept. 15, F. Scott Fitzgerald, letter to Beatrice Dance
   • Near-synonym: come undone
   • She is back to work now, after she broke down the other day.
   • Sophia broke down here. Even at this moment she was subconsciously comparing her rendering of the part of the forlorn bride with Miss Marie Lohr's. 1921, Ben Travers, A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:
7. (ergative, figuratively) To render or to become weak and ineffective.
   • Hodgson's approach may not illuminate proceedings in Poland and Ukraine but early evidence suggests they will be tough to break down. 2012 June 2, Phil McNulty, “England 1-0 Belgium”, in BBC Sport:
   • His authority and influence over his coordinates broke down gradually.
8. (ergative) To (cause to) decay, to decompose.
   • Leaves and grass will break down into compost faster if you keep them moist.
9. To separate into a number of parts.
   • The goods station is a transhipment centre (centre de transbordement) at which loads made up at other centres are broken down and redespatched to destinations in the area. 1950 June, N. H. Bousfield, “Angers, a French Provincial Railway Centre”, in Railway Magazine, page 371:
   • Near-synonyms: break apart, break up, take apart, tear down, tear up
   • Meetings began in June and shortly after the group of twelve women decided to break-down into two sub groups in order to examine the subject more efficiently. 1973 December 29, “Lesbian Questionnaire”, in Gay Community News, volume 1, number 28, page 1:
10. (ergative, figuratively) To divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of.
    • Near-synonym: analyze
    • If you don't understand, ask him to break down the numbers for you.
    • A great example is Blair Imani, an author, historian, and creator whose “Smarter in Seconds” series breaks down socio-political issues into very basic, helpful explanations in less than 60 seconds. 2026 March 9, Cyrus Veyssi, “In Defense of Influencers”, in TIME, archived from the original on 14 Mar 2026:
11. (ergative) To digest.
    • Near-synonym: catabolize
    • His food took a while to break down in his stomach.
    • His stomach took a while to break down his food.
12. (informal) To bust down or bust a move; to perform energetic, often freestyle or hip-hop moves, frequently during a song’s instrumental break where only drums or bass are playing; see breakdown.

Forms

Coordinates

break up · fall down · break apart · break apart · break up · wear down · fall apart · break up · wear away · tear down · break apart

Deriveds

broken-down valise · broken down · my car has broken down · break down to brass tacks · breakdown · break-down

Relateds

break it down

Synonyms

break up · tear up · come undone · tear down · catabolize · take apart · analyze · break apart

Translations (272)

fr analyser (to divide into parts for analysis) · pl załamać się (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · pl zbankrutować (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · nl mislukken (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · it guastarsi (to cease to function; (other than above)) · fi eritellä (to divide into parts for analysis) · hu összetör (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · pl stracić na sile (to become weak and ineffective) · hu lerobban ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · fi rikkoutua ((machine) to stop functioning) · ja 砕ける (to divide into parts for analysis) · ka მოიშალა (to cease to function; (other than above)) · fi vikaantua ((machine) to stop functioning) · pl wysiąść (to become weak and ineffective) · pl zgnić (to decay) · pl wyburzać (to pull down intentionally) · es averiarse ((machine) to stop functioning) · de zusammenklappen (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · de abnehmen (to become weak and ineffective) · uk розвали́тися (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · es lagarearse (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pl nawalić (to cease to function; (other than above)) · es echarse a perder (to decay) · fi mennä rikki ((machine) to stop functioning) · pl burzyć (to pull down intentionally) · fi luhistua (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · pl psuć się (to cease to function; (other than above)) · nl afbreken (to pull down intentionally) · de verwandeln (to decay) · pl ponosić fiasko (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · hu lebont (to digest) · fi hajota ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · it partizionare (to divide into parts for analysis) · es romperse (to cease to function; (other than above)) · ga clis ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · fi murentua (to become weak and ineffective) · pl wysiadać (to become weak and ineffective) · pl próchnieć (to decay) · de eine Panne haben ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · pl runąć (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · cmn 拆除 (to pull down intentionally) · pl osłabnąć (to become weak and ineffective) · ru сломаться ((machine) to stop functioning) · nl falen (to cease to function; (other than above)) · da bryde sammen (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pl rozkładać się (to decay) · de fehlschlagen (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · pl zdegradować się (to decay) · uk руйнува́тися (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · de niederbrechen (to pull down intentionally) · fi lakata toimimasta ((computer) to stop functioning) · pl rozpaść się (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · uk злама́тися ((machine) to stop functioning) · pl tracić na sile (to become weak and ineffective) · da gå itu (to cease to function; (other than above)) · nl stukgaan ((machine) to stop functioning) · pl rozłożyć na czynniki pierwsze (to divide into parts for analysis) · ja 分解する (to divide into parts for analysis) · pl zawiesić się ((computer) to stop functioning) · es desglosar (to divide into parts for analysis) · nl uitsplitsen (to divide into parts for analysis) · de abstürzen ((computer) to stop functioning) · pl rozkładać na czynniki pierwsze (to divide into parts for analysis) · pl rozebrać (to pull down intentionally) · pl zawalić się (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · cmn 停擺 /停摆 (to cease to function; (other than above)) · da kollapse (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · ru ломаться ((machine) to stop functioning) · ka გაფუჭდა (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pl zanalizować (to divide into parts for analysis) · pl przełamywać (to pull down intentionally) · cmn 式微 (to become weak and ineffective) · pl psuć się ((machine) to stop functioning) · de den Geist aufgeben ((machine) to stop functioning) · vi hỏng ((machine) to stop functioning) · pl zapadać się (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · fi luhistua (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · nl defect raken ((machine) to stop functioning) · hu szétesik (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · pl załamać się (to become weak and ineffective) · uk злама́тися ((computer) to stop functioning) · pl rozpadać się (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · de zusammenbrechen (to become weak and ineffective) · vi hỏng hóc ((machine) to stop functioning) · nl analyseren (to divide into parts for analysis) · nl kapot gaan ((machine) to stop functioning) · pl trawić (to digest) · cmn 倒塌 (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · pl słabnąć (to become weak and ineffective) · de einstürzen (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · pl upaść (to become weak and ineffective) · uk збанкрутува́ти (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · hu bedöglik ((machine) to stop functioning) · es fallar (to cease to function; (other than above)) · de sich aufhängen ((computer) to stop functioning) · hu lerobban ((machine) to stop functioning) · pl rozbić (to divide into parts for analysis) · pl wyważać (to pull down intentionally) · pl ulec awarii (to cease to function; (other than above)) · da nedbryde (to digest) · fi saada hermoromahdus (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · tr çökmek (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · de abreißen (to pull down intentionally) · es trastornarse (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · pt cessar (to cease to function; (other than above)) · tr zayıflamak (to become weak and ineffective) · pl zapaść się (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · pl nawalać (to cease to function; (other than above)) · cmn 分解 (to divide into parts for analysis) · cmn 出故障 ((machine) to stop functioning) · es averiarse (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pl psuć się ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · pl gnić (to decay) · de herunterbrechen (to divide into parts for analysis) · fr tomber en panne ((machine) to stop functioning) · da nedbryde (to decay) · fi mennä rikki (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pl załamać się (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · pl oberwać się (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · pl strawić (to digest) · fi kariutua (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · fr décomposer (to divide into parts for analysis) · pt inutilizar (to become weak and ineffective) · fi lakata toimimasta ((machine) to stop functioning) · it decomporre (to digest) · hu összeroppan (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · hu bedöglik ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · uk впа́сти ((computer) to stop functioning) · pl załamywać się (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · it digerire (to digest) · pl demontować (to pull down intentionally) · nl inslaan (to pull down intentionally) · hu letör (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · pl forsować (to pull down intentionally) · pl sforsować (to pull down intentionally) · uk провали́тися (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · fi murtua (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · de umwandeln (to decay) · pl wyburzyć (to pull down intentionally) · be злама́цца ((machine) to stop functioning) · da gå i stykker (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pl rozpadać się (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · ga clis ((computer) to stop functioning) · pl ponieść fiasko (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · pl znosić (to pull down intentionally) · pl rozłożyć się (to decay) · fi mennä rikki ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · nl vernietigen (to pull down intentionally) · it decomporsi (to decay) · el καταρρέω (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · tr çürümek (to decay) · pl lec w gruzach (to become weak and ineffective) · fi mennä pieleen (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · pl padać ((computer) to stop functioning) · ru разобрать (to divide into parts for analysis) · ja 壊れる (to cease to function; (other than above)) · fa از کار افتادن (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pl stanąć w miejscu ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · wa tourner a frawéns (to decay) · pl zepsuć się (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pt decompor (to divide into parts for analysis) · pl przeanalizować (to divide into parts for analysis) · de versagen ((machine) to stop functioning) · de abbrechen (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · fi sortua (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · fi hajota (to cease to function; (other than above)) · osx afbrekan (to cease to function; (other than above)) · de scheitern (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · pt digerir (to digest) · pl zepsuć się ((machine) to stop functioning) · es romperse ((machine) to stop functioning) · pl zepsuć się ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · da nedbryde (to become weak and ineffective) · nl slopen (to pull down intentionally) · pl odmawiać posłuszeństwa (to cease to function; (other than above)) · tr sindirmek (to digest) · pl zdemontować (to pull down intentionally) · pl stawać w miejscu ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · da bryde sammen (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · pl spróchnieć (to decay) · fr se décomposer (to decay) · pl lec w gruzach (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · eo panei (to cease to function; (other than above)) · it suddividere (to divide into parts for analysis) · fi romahtaa (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · pl być w rozsypce (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · pl rozbijać (to divide into parts for analysis) · es descomponerse ((machine) to stop functioning) · pl analizować (to divide into parts for analysis) · cmn 崩潰 /崩溃 (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · pl butwieć (to decay) · hu lebomlik (to digest) · pl rozpaść się (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · fi maatua (to decay) · nl ontbinden (to decay) · de hängen ((computer) to stop functioning) · nl in tranen uitbarsten (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · pl rozbierać (to pull down intentionally) · cmn 消化 (to digest) · pl degradować się (to decay) · tr bozulmak (to cease to function; (other than above)) · ga clis ((machine) to stop functioning) · pl zburzyć (to pull down intentionally) · es malograrse ((machine) to stop functioning) · pl znieść (to pull down intentionally) · ca espatllar-se (to cease to function; (other than above)) · de zusammenbrechen (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · it elaborare (to digest) · pl wysiąść (to cease to function; (other than above)) · es descomponerse (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pl przełamać (to pull down intentionally) · pl odmawiać posłuszeństwa ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · pl odmówić posłuszeństwa (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pl odmówić posłuszeństwa ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · hu összeesik (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · fi vikaantua ((computer) to stop functioning) · fi mureta (to become weak and ineffective) · de zersetzen (to decay) · cmn 衰敗 /衰败 (to decay) · nl uiteenvallen (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · pl zawieszać się ((computer) to stop functioning) · pl paść ((computer) to stop functioning) · uk злама́тися (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · fr craquer (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · pl ulec awarii ((machine) to stop functioning) · pl załamywać się (to become weak and ineffective) · sv gå sönder (to cease to function; (other than above)) · be лама́цца ((machine) to stop functioning) · pl zbutwieć (to decay) · fi rikkoutua ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · de umkippen (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · da bryde sammen (to become weak and ineffective) · nl stukgaan (to cease to function; (other than above)) · de zusammenfallen (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · hu kifejt (to divide into parts for analysis) · pt despedaçar (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · nl kapotgaan (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pl zawalać się (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · cmn 當機 /当机 ((computer) to stop functioning) · hu elromlik (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pl wyważyć (to pull down intentionally) · uk зави́снути ((computer) to stop functioning) · da gå ned (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · pl upadać (to become weak and ineffective) · de zusammenbrechen (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · pl ulegać awarii (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pl wysiadać (to cease to function; (other than above)) · de kaputtgehen (to cease to function; (other than above)) · de liegenbleiben ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · cmn 垮臺 /垮台 (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · cmn 壞了 /坏了 ((machine) to stop functioning) · es estropearse (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pl obrywać się (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · pl ulegać awarii ((machine) to stop functioning) · fi sulattaa (to digest) · es desmenuzar (to divide into parts for analysis) · pl bankrutować (to fail, especially socially or for political reasons) · nl instorten (to collapse unexpectedly, physically or in structure) · de zerfallen (to decay) · nl instorten (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · pt debilitar (to become weak and ineffective) · fr tomber en panne (to cease to function; (other than above)) · pl załamywać się (to become unstable or collapse, mentally or otherwise) · hu lebomlik (to decay) · cmn 拋錨 /抛锚 ((vehicle) to stop functioning) · it rompersi (to cease to function; (other than above)) · fi hajota ((machine) to stop functioning) · fi purkaa (to pull down intentionally) · gl escarallar (to cease to function; (other than above)) · ca avariar-se (to cease to function; (other than above)) · de aufschließen (to digest) · hu felmondja a szolgálatot (to cease to function; (other than above))