# breakdown

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbɹeɪkdaʊn/ · frequency rank #6,028

## Definitions
1. A failure, particularly one which is mechanical in nature.
2. A failure, particularly one which is mechanical in nature.
3. Something, such as a vehicle, that has experienced a mechanical failure.
4. Separation of a thing into components; decomposition, fragmentation; (countable) an instance of this.
5. Separation of a thing into components; decomposition, fragmentation; (countable) an instance of this.
6. Separation of a thing into components; decomposition, fragmentation; (countable) an instance of this.
7. A failure in a relationship; a failure or loss of organization in a system.
8. (Sudden) worsening of physical health or (more commonly) mental stability, resulting in an inability to carry on normal activities; (countable) an instance of this.
9. Injury to a horse's leg causing lameness; (countable) an instance of this.
10. The short period of open play immediately after a tackle and before and during the ensuing ruck.
11. An act of splitting logs of wood using a large saw in a sawmill; also, the saw used; or (rare) the building in which the process is carried out.
12. A part of a piece of music or a song which differs from the other parts in that it features improvisation or is stripped down (for example, played by fewer instruments or a solo performer).
13. Synonym of percussion break (“a percussion-focused segment of a song, chosen by a hip-hop DJ to manipulate through cutting, mixing, and other techniques in order to create rhythmic music”).
14. A section of a song, typical in hardcore music and related styles (such as metalcore, grindcore, and deathcore), characterized by a lower tempo and greater heaviness and intensity of sound.
15. A noisy, rapid, shuffling dance engaged in competitively by a number of individuals or pairs in succession, common among African-Americans from the Southern United States; also, a lively event, chiefly in a rural setting, at which such dancing is done; a hoedown, a shindig.
16. A piece of music played for such a dance, especially a rapid bluegrass tune featuring a five-string banjo.
17. An act of a structure or other thing breaking and collapsing.

## Etymology
Deverbal from break down.

## Common misspellings (14)
`bbreakdown`, `berakdown`, `braekdown`, `breadkown`, `breakddown`, `breakdonw`, `breakdownn`, `breakdowwn`, `breakdwon`, `breakkdown`, `breakodwn`, `brekadown`, `brreakdown`, `rbeakdown`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/breakdown