Meltdown

/ˈmɛltdaʊn/ · noun

Meaning

(countable) An act or process of melting..

Definitions by Sense

1. (countable) An act or process of melting.
2. (countable, rare) A mass of melted material.
3. Chiefly preceded by a descriptive word: uncontrolled disorder which often has disastrous consequences; (countable) a situation involving this; a crisis.
4. (Sudden) loss of control over one's behaviour, emotions, etc.; (countable) an instance of this.

Example Sentences

Channel 4 switchboards went into meltdown this week when viewers called to complain about a Brass Eye programme on child sex.

Computer engineers were at a loss last night to explain why the Government had been hit by arguably the worst electronic meltdown in the history of Whitehall.

If you're like me, you've looked at a paper coffee cup or an empty tube of toothpaste and thought, "Is this recyclable?" before tossing it in the recycling bin, hoping someone, somewhere, would sort it out. People in the waste management industry call this habit "wishcycling." […] [W]ishcycling is playing a big role in the current global recycling meltdown. […] Our uncertainty leads to climbing costs and waning productivity at recycling facilities; […]

Synonyms for meltdown

Antonyms for meltdown

Related Words

Word Forms

• meltdowns

Usage Notes

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