Reading Theme:
Breakdown: Definition, Usage & Key Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：mechanical failure (breakdown)
breakdown
/ˈbreɪkdaʊn/
n.
when a machine, vehicle, or system stops working properly.
mechanical failure
➕
/məˈkænɪkəl ˈfeɪljər/
n.
A situation where a machine, vehicle, or engineered system ceases to function correctly, often unexpectedly.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Combines 'break' (from OE 'brecan', to fracture) and 'down' (from ME 'doun', from a higher to a lower position), indicating a failure or division into components.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a car breaking down on the highway – it stops working and is broken down into a state of needing repair.
📖 Example
Our road trip was delayed due to a breakdown of our car's engine on the highway.
Our journey by car was postponed because our vehicle's engine stopped working on the freeway.
🔗 Collocations
engine breakdown – a failure of the engine
system breakdown – a complete failure of a larger operational system
vehicle breakdown – when a car, truck, etc., stops working
🔄 Synonyms
failure (n.) – the fact of a machine or system not working
malfunction (n.) – a failure to function in a normal or satisfactory manner
fault (n.) – a defect or problem in a machine or system
🚫 Antonyms
functioning (n.) – the state of working or operating properly
operation (n.) – the fact or condition of functioning or being active
🌱 Derivatives
break down (v.) – to stop functioning
📖 Cultural Story
Evolving from literal physical breaking, its use for mechanical failure emerged with the Industrial Revolution (19th century). The psychological 'nervous breakdown' became common in early 20th-century medical discourse. The analytical sense grew from financial 'breakdowns' of costs in the 1930s.
Meaning 2：collapse (breakdown)
breakdown
/ˈbreɪkdaʊn/
n.
when someone's mental or physical health collapses, often due to too much stress.
collapse
➕
/kəˈlæps/
n.
A sudden and severe collapse of a person's mental or physical health, typically caused by prolonged and excessive stress.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Working 80 hours a week for months led to her complete mental and physical breakdown.
Working extremely long hours over many months resulted in her total collapse, affecting both mind and body.
🔗 Collocations
nervous breakdown – a period of severe mental illness often triggered by stress
emotional breakdown – a loss of emotional control due to overwhelming feelings
suffer a breakdown – to experience a collapse of health
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
well-being (n.) – the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy
stability (n.) – the state of being steady and not changing or being disturbed
Meaning 3：detailed analysis (breakdown)
breakdown
/ˈbreɪkdaʊn/
n.
a detailed list or explanation that divides something complex into smaller, simpler parts.
detailed analysis
➕
/ˈdiːteɪld əˈnæləsɪs/
n.
An itemized explanation or classification that separates a complex whole into its constituent parts for clearer understanding.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The teacher provided a clear breakdown of the final exam scores by question type, which helped students understand their strengths and weaknesses.
The instructor gave a detailed analysis of the test results categorized by the kind of question, aiding students in identifying their strong and weak areas.
🔗 Collocations
cost breakdown – a detailed list showing the individual costs that make up a total price
demographic breakdown – an analysis of data divided by population groups (age, gender, etc.)
step-by-step breakdown – a detailed explanation of each stage in a process
🔄 Synonyms
analysis (n.) – detailed examination of the elements or structure of something
classification (n.) – the action of arranging something into categories
itemization (n.) – the act of listing things individually
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