breakdown
BRAYK-down
Breakdown (noun) means a failure, especially of a machine or vehicle. Example: “A breakdown on the motorway left us waiting two hours for help.”
noun
1
A failure, especially of a machine or vehicle.
"A breakdown on the motorway left us waiting two hours for help."
"The factory stopped for the day after a breakdown in the main machine."
"The bus broke down twice on the way to the airport."
2
A sudden decline in someone's mental or physical health, often preventing normal functioning.
"After years of overwork, he suffered a nervous breakdown and was signed off for months."
"Her doctor warned that ignoring the exhaustion could lead to a total breakdown."
"The stress of the divorce led to a complete breakdown."
3
A detailed analysis showing the separate parts of something.
"The report includes a breakdown of sales by region and by product."
"Could you give us a breakdown of how the budget will be spent?"
"Can you send me a breakdown of the monthly expenses?"
How to use breakdown
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA collapse (mechanical or personal) or, separately, an itemized analysis.
Common pairings
nervous breakdown
cost breakdown
mechanical breakdown
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Word forms
- Plural
- breakdowns
Fill the gap
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A _____ on the motorway left us waiting two hours for help.
Etymology
A deverbal noun from the phrasal verb break down.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “breakdown” mean?
The word “breakdown” means a failure, especially of a machine or vehicle. In plain terms, a collapse (mechanical or personal) or, separately, an itemized analysis.
How do you pronounce “breakdown”?
“Breakdown” is pronounced BRAYK-down (/ˈbɹeɪkˌdaʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “breakdown” in a sentence?
Here is “breakdown” used in a sentence: “The stress of the divorce led to a complete breakdown.”
What part of speech is “breakdown”?
“Breakdown” is a noun.
Is “breakdown” a common word?
“Breakdown” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “breakdown” have?
“Breakdown” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a failure, especially of a machine or vehicle.
What is the difference between 'breakdown' and 'break down'?
'Breakdown' written as one word is a noun, as in 'the car had a breakdown'. 'Break down' as two words is a verb, as in 'the car broke down'. Use the single word for the thing and the two words for the action.
What is the difference between a 'breakdown' and a 'collapse'?
A 'breakdown' is a failure of something such as a machine, or a decline in someone's health that stops normal functioning. A 'collapse' suggests a sudden and complete falling apart. A breakdown can be gradual, whereas a collapse is usually abrupt and total.
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