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meltdown

[ melt-doun ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.

meltdown

/ ˈ��ɛ��ˌ�岹ʊ�� /

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

meltdown

Severe overheating of a nuclear reactor core, resulting in melting of the core and escape of radiation.

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.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of meltdown¹

First recorded in 1960–65; noun use of verb phrase melt down

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The public meltdown, in which you declare yourself the world's greatest victim, is the preferred GOP method of political communication these days.

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“There is a complete meltdown in the building, and this is really reflecting on the secretary’s leadership,” a senior official told Politico.

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While he admits he still hates the flavour of peanuts, he says knowing he can now eat something that once sent his body into "nuclear meltdown" has changed his life.

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Ronnie O'Sullivan has said he was "worried" about returning to snooker, fearing he would "implode" and "have a meltdown" in his first competitive match since January.

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“There is a complete meltdown in the building,” said another.

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Related Words

meltage meltemi

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