meltdown
[ melt-doun ]
/ ˈmɛltˌdaʊn /
noun
the melting of a significant portion of a nuclear-reactor core due to inadequate cooling of the fuel elements, a condition that could lead to the escape of radiation.
a quickly developing breakdown or collapse: a bond-market meltdown; the meltdown of a marriage.
Informal.
a sudden loss of control over one’s feelings or behavior: My toddler had a meltdown when I tried to leave the house.
Origin of meltdown
First recorded in 1960–65; noun use of verb phrase
melt down
Words nearby meltdown
melrose abbey,
melrose park,
melt,
melt in one's mouth,
meltage,
meltdown,
meltemi,
melter,
melting point,
melting pot,
melton
Example sentences from the Web for meltdown
British Dictionary definitions for meltdown
meltdown
/ (ˈmɛltˌdaʊn) /
noun
(in a nuclear reactor) the melting of the fuel rods as a result of a defect in the cooling system, with the possible escape of radiation into the environment
informal
a sudden disastrous failure with potential for widespread harm, as a stock-exchange crash
informal
the process or state of irreversible breakdown or decline
the community is slowly going into meltdown
Scientific definitions for meltdown
meltdown
[ mĕlt′doun′ ]
Severe overheating of a nuclear reactor core, resulting in melting of the core and escape of radiation.
Cultural definitions for meltdown
meltdown
The most serious accident that can occur at a nuclear reactor. In a meltdown, the radioactive material in the reactor becomes very hot, melting some or all of the fuel in the reactor. A meltdown may or may not be followed by the release of radioactive material to the environment. A partial meltdown, with very little external radiation, occurred at Three Mile Island (see also Three Mile Island) in 1979; a complete meltdown happened at Chernobyl in 1986.