noun A failure, particularly one which is mechanical in nature.
Whenever he was behind the wheel, he would panic at the first sign of a breakdown.
noun 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; an instance of this; also, the minimum voltage at which this occurs.
noun Something, such as a vehicle, that has experienced a mechanical failure.
We saw a breakdown by the side of the road.
noun Separation of a thing into components; decomposition, fragmentation; an instance of this. Detailed categorization, or itemization or listing, of the components of a thing; an instance of this.
Looking at the breakdown of the budget, I see a few items we could cut.
noun Detailed categorization, or itemization or listing, of the components of a thing; an instance of this.
Looking at the breakdown of the budget, I see a few items we could cut.
noun Breaking of chemical bonds within a compound to produce simpler compounds or elements; an instance of this.
noun 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.
noun A failure in a relationship; a failure or loss of organization in a system. (Sudden) worsening of physical health or mental stability, resulting in an inability to carry on normal activities; an instance of this.
After so much stress, he suffered a breakdown and simply gave up.