breakdown

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break|down /br'eɪkdaʊn/ (breakdowns)
1 [N-COUNT] usu sing, oft N of/in n
The breakdown of something such as a relationship, plan, or discussion is its failure or ending.
...the breakdown of talks between the US and EU officials.
...the irretrievable breakdown of a marriage...
= collapse
2 [N-COUNT] usu sing, oft adj N
If you have a breakdown, you become very depressed, so that you are unable to cope with your life.
My personal life was terrible. My mother had died, and a couple of years later I had a breakdown...
see also nervous breakdown
3 [N-COUNT]
If a car or a piece of machinery has a breakdown, it stops working.
Her old car was unreliable, so the trip was plagued by breakdowns...
4 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
A breakdown of something is a list of its separate parts.
The organisers were given a breakdown of the costs.
= analysisnerv|ous break|down (nervous breakdowns)
[N-COUNT]
If someone has a nervous breakdown, they become extremely depressed and cannot cope with their normal life.
His wife would not be able to cope and might suffer a nervous breakdown.

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