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breakdown

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The definition of a breakdown is a mechanical failure, a collapse of a system of authority, a failure of a relationship or interaction, or a collapse of someone's mental health and a descent into permanent or temporary craziness.

(noun)

When your car stops working and will no longer start, this is an example of a breakdown.
When everyone loses respect for a teacher and stops listening to that teacher at all, this is an example of a breakdown of authority.
When you tell your spouse to meet you at the restaurant you both like the best and he thinks that you mean a different restaurant and doesn't understand you correctly, this is an example of a breakdown of communication.
When your boyfriend breaks up with you and you become severely depressed and try to kill yourself and need therapy, this is an example of a breakdown.

See breakdown in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

an act, instance, or result of breaking down; specif.,
1. a failure to work or function properly: breakdown of a machine, of authority, etc.
2. a failure of health; physical, mental, or emotional collapse
3. decomposition
4. a separation into parts; analysis
☆ a lively, shuffling American country dance

See breakdown in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. The act or process of failing to function or continue.
b. The condition resulting from this: a breakdown in communication.
Electricity The abrupt failure of an insulator or insulating medium to restrict the flow of current.
A typically sudden collapse in physical or mental health.
An analysis, an outline, or a summary consisting of itemized data or essentials.
Disintegration or decomposition into parts or elements.
A noisy, energetic American country dance.

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