melt·down
ˈmelt-ˌdau̇n 
1
: the accidental melting of the core of a nuclear reactor
2
: a rapid or disastrous decline or collapse
warning of a stock market meltdown
3
: a breakdown of self-control (as from fatigue or overstimulation)
an exhausted toddler having a meltdown
melted down; melting down; melts down
1
of a nuclear reactor
: to undergo an accidental melting of the core
2
: to experience a very fast collapse or failure
The stock market melted down today.
: to melt (something) so that it can be used for another purpose
melting down gold coins
Synonyms of meltdown
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
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
The right venue, the right seats and the right preparation can make the difference between a magical night and a meltdown an hour in.
—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2026
Cat Dawson,
ARTnews.com,
3 July 2026
The Liberty Bell had survived the war—so far—without being melted down into musket balls by the British.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Noun
Bitcoin and crypto prices have gone into meltdown in recent weeks, adding to a price crash that’s wiped out more than $2 trillion worth of value from the market.
—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
The right venue, the right seats and the right preparation can make the difference between a magical night and a meltdown an hour in.
—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2026
Verb
Most of the statue was melted down and reformed into musket balls, and several of these are on display in the opening section of the show across from four large intact pieces of the original.
—
Cat Dawson,
ARTnews.com,
3 July 2026
The Liberty Bell had survived the war—so far—without being melted down into musket balls by the British.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for meltdown
Cite this Entry
“Meltdown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meltdown. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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