noun
Uncommon
meltdown
MEHLT-down
Meltdown (noun) means a serious overheating accident in which the fuel inside a nuclear reactor melts, risking a release of radiation. Example: “The documentary examined the causes of the reactor meltdown.”
noun
1
A serious overheating accident in which the fuel inside a nuclear reactor melts, risking a release of radiation.
"The documentary examined the causes of the reactor meltdown."
2
A sudden collapse or crisis, especially in a financial or organisational sense.
"The bank's meltdown wiped out billions in shareholder value."
3
A sudden loss of emotional control; an outburst of anger, panic, or distress.
"The toddler had a meltdown in the middle of the supermarket."
How to use meltdown
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA serious collapse — whether it's a nuclear reactor, a stock market, or someone's emotional composure.
Common pairings
nuclear meltdown
market meltdown
have a meltdown
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Word forms
- Plural
- meltdowns
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The documentary examined the causes of the reactor _____.
Etymology
A compound of melt and down, first used literally for reactors before spreading to financial and emotional crises.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “meltdown” mean?
The word “meltdown” means a serious overheating accident in which the fuel inside a nuclear reactor melts, risking a release of radiation. In plain terms, a serious collapse — whether it's a nuclear reactor, a stock market, or someone's emotional composure.
How do you pronounce “meltdown”?
“Meltdown” is pronounced MEHLT-down (/ˈmɛltˌdaʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “meltdown” in a sentence?
Here is “meltdown” used in a sentence: “The documentary examined the causes of the reactor meltdown.”
What part of speech is “meltdown”?
“Meltdown” is a noun.
Is “meltdown” a common word?
“Meltdown” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “meltdown” have?
“Meltdown” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a serious overheating accident in which the fuel inside a nuclear reactor melts, risking a release of radiation.
What is the difference between a "meltdown" and a "nuclear meltdown"?
A nuclear meltdown is the specific, literal sense of the word: a serious accident in which the fuel inside a reactor melts and risks releasing radiation. "Meltdown" on its own is now more often used figuratively for a sudden collapse in finance or organizations, or for a personal emotional outburst.
What does it mean when someone says a person is "having a meltdown"?
This means the person is experiencing a sudden loss of emotional control, such as an outburst of anger, panic, or distress, drawing on the imagery of something overheating and collapsing.
Can "meltdown" describe a financial crisis as well as an emotional one?
Yes, "meltdown" is regularly used for a sudden collapse or crisis in a financial or organizational context, such as a "market meltdown," alongside its use for personal emotional outbursts and its original nuclear-accident meaning.
