Dictionary

meltdown en · NOUN

Pronunciation

/ˈmɛltdawn/ (British, Southern, Standard)
(General-American) audio
/ˈmɛltˌdaʊn/ (General-American)
/ˈmɛltdaʊn/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

From melt (verb) + down (adverb), a deverbal from melt down (verb).

Meanings

(countable) An act or process of melting.
(qualifier:nuclear energy, uncountable) An act or process of melting. ▸ Severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor, with the potential for radiation to escape; (countable) an instance of this.
- Thus began by far the gravest crisis in the troubled, 32-year history of commercial atomic power. A catastrophe had occurred over the weekend at the Chernobyl plant, 80 miles north of Kiev, where a reactor meltdown and explosion caused untold death and suffering and raised the prospect of long-term health and environmental damage on a far greater scale than anything yet unleashed by peaceful nuclear use. 1986 May 12, John Greenwald, “Deadly Meltdown”, in Time, New York, N.Y.: Time Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 21 May 2025:
(countable, rare) A mass of melted material.
(figuratively, uncountable) Chiefly preceded by a descriptive word: uncontrolled disorder which often has disastrous consequences; (countable) a situation involving this; a crisis.
- Channel 4 switchboards went into meltdown this week when viewers called to complain about a Brass Eye programme on child sex. 2001, James Wickham, “Perv spoof bosses axe wrestling”, in Peter Hill, editor, Daily Star, London: Reach plc, →ISSN, →OCLC, column 1:
- Computer engineers were at a loss last night to explain why the Government had been hit by arguably the worst electronic meltdown in the history of Whitehall. 2004 November 27, Barrie Clement, “Computer meltdown baffles the experts”, in The Independent, London: Independent News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 09 Dec 2004:
- If you're like me, you've looked at a paper coffee cup or an empty tube of toothpaste and thought, "Is this recyclable?" before tossing it in the recycling bin, hoping someone, somewhere, would sort it out. People in the waste management industry call this habit "wishcycling." […] [W]ishcycling is playing a big role in the current global recycling meltdown. […] Our uncertainty leads to climbing costs and waning productivity at recycling facilities; […] 2019 August 30, Jackie Flynn Mogensen, “One Very Bad Habit is Fueling the Global Recycling Meltdown”, in Mother Jones, San Francisco, Calif.: Foundation for National Progress, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 26 Feb 2021:
(countable, figuratively) Chiefly preceded by a descriptive word: uncontrolled disorder which often has disastrous consequences; (countable) a situation involving this; a crisis. ▸ Synonym of crash (“a sudden large decline in the value of money, stocks or other assets, etc., especially one that causes additional economic difficulties”).
(countable, figuratively, informal) (Sudden) loss of control over one's behaviour, emotions, etc.; (countable) an instance of this. ▸ An emotional outburst; a fit, a tantrum.
(countable, figuratively, informal, qualifier:autism) (Sudden) loss of control over one's behaviour, emotions, etc.; (countable) an instance of this. ▸ A response to sensory overload or stress, in which an autistic person is overwhelmed by intense, seemingly disproportionate emotions, behaving erratically and becoming unable to mask (“act more neurotypically”).
- I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome in my forties. […] Now if I am really anxious, I can take a moment to think about what is making me anxious and what to do about it; before I would just spiral into a meltdown really quickly, with no understanding of why. 2016, Jeanette Purkis, Emma Goodall, Jane Nugent, quoting Laura, “Diagnosis”, in The Guide to Good Mental Health on the Autism Spectrum, London; Philadelphia, Pa.: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, page 26:
- If you're experiencing challenges that are extremely stressful and may lead you to being overwhelmed, or set off a meltdown in the workplace, this may be very concerning to your work colleagues. 2022, Barb Cook, Yenn Purkiss, “What is Advocacy and Why Do We Need It?”, in The Autism and Neurodiversity Self Advocacy Handbook: Developing the Skills to Determine Your Own Future, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, page 33:
- As the brain starts becoming overwhelmed with stress chemicals, it has two primary ways of responding. […] [I]f the accumulation of stress chemicals, stimulation and/or demands are occurring too fast or are too intense to block out, then a meltdown is probable. 2020, Bill Nason, “Shutdowns and Meltdowns”, in The Autism Discussion Page on Stress, Anxiety, Shutdowns and Meltdowns: Proactive Strategies for Minimizing Sensory, Social and Emotional Overload, London; Philadelphia, Pa.: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, page 171:
(countable, figuratively, informal) (Sudden) loss of control over one's behaviour, emotions, etc.; (countable) an instance of this. ▸ Synonym of nervous breakdown (“an attack of a psychological disorder such as anxiety or depression which is so severe that it prevents a person from continuing to function normally”); also (loosely), a situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.
- I had a major meltdown at work today. After being instructed one more time about additional work that I was to delegate to my direct reports, I snapped, but in a very polite manner. I excused myself from the boss' office and broke down completely in my cubicle. 2006, Ercille Christmas, “Thursday, 7/11/02”, in Thoughts of a Proud American: An Ode to “Joe and Josephine Ordinary, Salt of the Earth Americans”, Bloomington, Ind.; Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: AuthorHouse, →ISBN, page 285:
- After the huntsman raced across my windscreen, I had an arachnophobic meltdown on the side of the road. 2025 January 27, Alexandra Carlton, “The kindness of strangers: I pulled over in hysterics – then a passing driver saved me from the spider”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 27 Jan 2025:

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
meltdowns	Number=Plur		lexicographic

Translations (84)

pt catástrofe (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · eu nukleo-fusioa (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · ru расплавле́ние (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · fi reaktoriytimen sulaminen (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · ca fusió de nucli (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · pl roztopienie (act or process of melting) · ja 炉心熔融 (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · ja メルトダウン (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · ms peleburan nuklear (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · fi romahdus (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · ru встря́ска (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · bg и́зблик ((sudden) loss of control over one’s behaviour, emotions, etc.; an instance of this) · hu zónaolvadás (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · nb kjernefysisk nedsmelting (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · ru razrušénije aktívnoj zony jádernovo reáktora (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · sh eratično stanje (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · fi sulaminen (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · it fusione del nocciolo (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · es corajina (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · he התמוטטות (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · ro criză (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · hi नाभिकीय गलाव (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · id kebocoran nuklir (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · cs roztavení reaktoru (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · ar اِنْصِهَار نَوَوِيّ (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · ko 노심 용해 (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · es copelación/fundición nuclear (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · pl wściekłość ((sudden) loss of control over one’s behaviour, emotions, etc.; an instance of this) · eu nukleoaren fusioa (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · de Nervenzusammenbruch (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · tl nukleyar na pagkatunaw (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · ru разруше́ние и́з-за расплавле́ния (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · fi räjähdys ((sudden) loss of control over one’s behaviour, emotions, etc.; an instance of this) · es derretimiento nuclear (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · fa ذوبشدن سوخت هستهای (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · es chucaque (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · cy toddiad niwclear (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · he מלטדאון (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · fi sulanut massa (mass of melted material) · pt derretimento nuclear (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · de Zusammenbruch (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · th การหลอมละลายนิวเคลียร์ (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · nl kernsmelting (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · fi tunneromahdus (autistic response to sensory overload or stress) · fr fusion du cœur d'un réacteur nucléaire (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · tr nükleer erime (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · hy մելտդաուն (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · vi nóng chảy hạt nhân (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · ru мелтда́ун (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · cmn 堆芯熔毀 /堆芯熔毁 (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · uk розплавлення (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · fi purkaus ((sudden) loss of control over one’s behaviour, emotions, etc.; an instance of this) · bg разтопя́ване (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · ro topire (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · bg разтопя́ване на акти́вната зо́на (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · he קריסה (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · es chiripiolca (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · ga leá iomlán (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · nds Karnsmölt (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · sh taljenje jezgre (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · bg при́стъп ((sudden) loss of control over one’s behaviour, emotions, etc.; an instance of this) · bg стопя́ване (act or process of melting) · es chiripiorca (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · pl przetopiony materiał (mass of melted material) · pl stopienie rdzenia reaktora jądrowego (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · sv härdsmälta (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · anp नाभिकीय गलाव (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · pl amok ((sudden) loss of control over one’s behaviour, emotions, etc.; an instance of this) · de Kernschmelze (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · fi sulaminen (act or process of melting) · nn kjernefysisk nedsmelting (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · he התכה (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · pl przetopienie (act or process of melting) · ta அணுக்கரு உருகல் (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · es fusión de núcleo (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · tl pagkalusaw na nukleyar (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · pl wzburzenie (autistic response to sensory overload or stress) · pl załamanie (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · da nedsmeltning (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · pl furia ((sudden) loss of control over one’s behaviour, emotions, etc.; an instance of this) · da nedsmeltning (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · hy ռեակտորի միջուկի հալում (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor) · he התמוטטות עצבים (situation where one is unable to function mentally due to panic, stress, etc.) · el τήξη (severe uncontrolled overheating and melting of the fuel in the core of a nuclear reactor)

wikipedia: Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant · wikipedia: Chernobyl New Safe Confinement

meltdown en · NOUN

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Translations (84)