Word
breakdown
Meanings
a failure or stopping of a machine, system, or process
a collapse of an organized process or relationship, so that it stops working effectively
a detailed division of something into parts to show how it is made up
Definition
A breakdown is a failure or collapse, especially when a system stops working or a situation falls apart.
A breakdown happens when something stops functioning properly or collapses. It can describe a machine that fails, talks that collapse, or a situation that becomes disorganized. It is also used for a detailed division of information into parts, such as a breakdown of costs or results.
Examples
- After the breakdown, the factory switched to a manual procedure to keep production moving.
- My laptop had a breakdown during the presentation, so I had to speak without slides.
- Their negotiations ended in a breakdown when neither side would compromise on timelines.
- The report provides a clear breakdown of energy use by department and by month.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "breakdown" (a failure or division into parts) with "break up" (to end a relationship as a verb).
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