melt·down
ˈmelt-ˌdau̇n 
1
: the accidental melting of the core of a nuclear reactor
2
: a rapid or disastrous decline or collapse
3
: a breakdown of self-control (as from fatigue or overstimulation)
Examples of meltdown in a Sentence
Noun
fears that an accident could cause meltdown
a company experiencing financial meltdown
After a long day at the beach, our toddler had a major meltdown in the car on the way home.
Verb
rather than melt down, the team strengthened their resolve and ended up winning the game
Recent Examples on the Web
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
On: Employers and investors braced for economic meltdown.
—George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Preston Fore, Fortune, 30 June 2025
Continue reading … 'DEVASTATING LOSS' – Media melts down over Supreme Court decision on gender transition ban for kids.
—FOXNews.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
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Noun
Two earlier securities class action suits were filed last month by investors seeking damages for the sharp drop in share price following the June meltdown.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
On: Employers and investors braced for economic meltdown.
—George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Verb
Falling home prices are raising the risk of a deeper correction as the housing market cracks under high mortgage rates
Jason Ma
Newsletters
New York’s tech elite are melting down over the election of Zohran Mamdani.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 30 June 2025
Continue reading … 'DEVASTATING LOSS' – Media melts down over Supreme Court decision on gender transition ban for kids.
—FOXNews.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
Cite this Entry
“Meltdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meltdown. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
meltdown
noun
melt·down
ˈmelt-ˌdau̇n
1
: the accidental melting of the core of a nuclear reactor
2
: a rapid or disastrous decline or collapse
a financial meltdown
3
: a breakdown of self-control (as from fatigue or overstimulation)
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