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A Breakdown

  1. (countable) A failure, particularly one which is mechanical in nature.
    1. (physics, uncountable) The sudden (and usually damaging) transition of an electrical insulator to a conductor when subjected to a sufficiently strong voltage, caused by the partial or complete ionization of the insulator; (countable) an instance of this; also, the minimum voltage at which this occurs.
  2. (countable) Something, such as a vehicle, that has experienced a mechanical failure.
  3. (uncountable) Separation of a thing into components; decomposition, fragmentation; (countable) an instance of this.
    1. (uncountable) Detailed categorization, or itemization or listing, of the components of a thing; (countable) an instance of this.
    2. (chemistry, uncountable) Breaking of chemical bonds within a compound to produce simpler compounds or elements; (countable) an instance of this.
    3. (film, television, countable) A detailed description of a forthcoming project or screenplay which identifies all the required elements, such as the cast, costumes, equipment, props, and special effects.
  4. (figurative)
    1. (countable) A failure in a relationship; a failure or loss of organization in a system.
    2. (uncountable) (Sudden) worsening of physical health or (more commonly) mental stability, resulting in an inability to carry on normal activities; (countable) an instance of this.
    3. (veterinary medicine, uncountable) Injury to a horse's leg causing lameness; (countable) an instance of this.
    4. (rugby union, countable and uncountable with the) The short period of open play immediately after a tackle and before and during the ensuing ruck.
    5. (originally and chiefly New Zealand, countable, chiefly attributive) 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.
  5. (music, countable)
    1. 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).
    2. 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”).
    3. 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.
  6. (chiefly Southern US, countable)
    1. (dance, dated) 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.
    2. (music) A piece of music played for such a dance, especially a rapid bluegrass tune featuring a five-string banjo.
  7. (obsolete, countable) An act of a structure or other thing breaking and collapsing.