To stop functioning.
- I am afraid my computer will break down if I try to run it at too high a speed.
To unexpectedly collapse, physically or in structure.
To intentionally demolish; to pull down.
To fail, especially socially or for political reasons.
- Talks broke down between Prime Minister John Doe and the opposition party.
- Relations broke down between Greece and Turkey.
To give in or give up: relent, concede, surrender.
- Is it worth taking it to a repair shop, or should I just break down and buy a new one?
To render or to become unstable due to stress, to collapse physically or mentally.
- She is back to work now, after she broke down the other day.
To render or to become weak and ineffective.
- His authority and influence over his coordinates broke down gradually.
To (cause to) decay, to decompose.
- Leaves and grass will break down into compost faster if you keep them moist.
To separate into a number of parts.
To divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of.
- If you don't understand, ask him to break down the numbers for you.
To digest.
- His stomach took a while to break down his food.
- His food took a while to break down in his stomach.