meltdown

melt-down · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A catastrophic failure of a nuclear reactor core, causing it to overheat and melt.

  2. 2.

    A complete loss of emotional control; a breakdown or tantrum.

  3. 3.

    A sudden, disastrous collapse or failure, especially in finance or business.

Forms

plural: meltdowns

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    have a meltdown — to lose emotional control
  • •
    financial meltdown — a severe economic crisis
  • •
    nuclear meltdown — the catastrophic failure of a reactor core

Related words

Antonyms: composure, recovery, stability
See also: breakdown, collapse, crisis, melt
Synonyms: breakdown, collapse, crisis, disaster

Etymology

A compound word formed from "melt" and "down" in the mid-20th century. Originally coined in the context of nuclear energy to describe the melting of reactor components. The term was later extended metaphorically to emotional and financial contexts.