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meltdown

The definition of a meltdown is a situation where the fuel in a nuclear reactor overheats and causes the reactor core to melt, or a collapse of something.

(noun)

When a nuclear reactor overheats, this is an example of a meltdown.
When the currency of a country starts to lose value and the economy starts to fall apart, this is an example of a meltdown.
When the stock market tumbles 1,000 points in a day, this is an example of a meltdown.

See meltdown in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a situation in which a rapid rise in the power level of a nuclear reactor, as from a defect in the cooling system, results in the melting of the fuel rods and the release of dangerous radiation and may cause the core to sink into the earth
a decline or breakdown in a situation or condition

See meltdown in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Severe overheating of a nuclear reactor core, resulting in melting of the core and escape of radiation.
Informal A disastrous or rapidly developing situation likened to the melting of a nuclear reactor core: “After several corporate meltdowns, only two reporters remain in [the] bureau” (David Fitzpatrick).
Informal An emotional breakdown

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