[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/breakdown/)

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# breakdown

noun (a breakdown, breakdowns)

«breakdown» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. When a machine or vehicle stops working: our car had a breakdown on the motorway. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/breakdown/#m1)
2. When something fails or ends: a breakdown in talks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/breakdown/#m2)
3. A list that shows the separate parts of a total: a breakdown of the costs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/breakdown/#m3)
4. (euphemism, informal) A nervous breakdown: a time when someone becomes very ill with stress and cannot cope. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/breakdown/#m4)
5. (science) The splitting of a substance into smaller parts: the breakdown of food. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/breakdown/#m5)

### In the lessons

In maths a breakdown shows how a total is split, for example a bill broken into food, drinks and tips; a table or pie chart can give it. In science, digestion is the breakdown of food. In safety, pupils learn what to do if the family car has a breakdown. Phrases: break down (verb), breakdown truck, breakdown of costs, breakdown in communication.

### Examples

- We waited an hour for the breakdown truck. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/breakdown/#x1)
- Here is a breakdown of the trip's costs: coach 200, tickets 150, lunch 50. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/breakdown/#x2)
- Enzymes help the breakdown of food in the stomach. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/breakdown/#x3)
- There was a breakdown in communication, so nobody brought the ball. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/breakdown/#x4)
- (euphemism) After months of stress, he had a breakdown and took time off work. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/breakdown/#x5)
- If the car has a breakdown on a motorway, everyone gets out and waits behind the barrier. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/breakdown/#x6)

### Note

Noun written as one word (a breakdown); the verb is two words (to break down). In maths, the parts of a breakdown must add up to the total: 200 + 150 + 50 = 400. Talking about someone's breakdown needs kindness.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «breakdown» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/breakdown/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«breakdown» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/breakdown.html) on Mova free.