The AI-powered English dictionary
countable and uncountable, plural meltdowns
Severe overheating of the core of a nuclear reactor resulting in the core melting and potentially in radiation escaping. examples
A situation being likened to a nuclear meltdown; a crisis. quotations examples
Channel 4 switchboards went into meltdown this week when viewers called to complain about a Brass Eye programme on child sex.
2001, James Wickham, “Perv Spoof Bosses Axe Wrestling”, in The Daily Star
(psychology) An autistic response to stress or sensory overload, in which the person is overwhelmed by intense, seemingly disproportionate emotions, behaving erratically and becoming unable to mask. quotations
Now if I am really anxious, I can take a moment to think about what is making me anxious and what to do about it; before I would just spiral into a meltdown really quickly, with no understanding of why.
2016, Laura, quoted in Wenn Lawson & Kirsty Dempster-Rivett, The Guide to Good Mental Health on the Autism Spectrum, page 26
However, if the accumulation of stress chemicals, stimulation and/or demands are occurring too fast or are too intense to block out, then a meltdown is probable.
2019, Bill Nason, The Autism Discussion Page on Stress, Anxiety, Shutdowns and Meltdowns: Proactive Strategies for Minimizing Sensory, Social and Emotional Overload, page 171
If you're experiencing challenges that are extremely stressful and may lead you to being overwhelmed, or set off a meltdown in the workplace, this may be very concerning to your work colleagues.
2022, Barb Cook, Yenn Purkiss, The Autism and Neurodiversity Self Advocacy Handbook: Developing the Skills to Determine Your Own Future, page 33
(informal) A tantrum or emotional outburst. quotations examples
I had a major meltdown at work today. After being instructed one more time about additional work that I was to delegate to my direct reports, I snapped, but in a very polite manner.
2006, Ercille Christmas, Thoughts of a Proud American, page 285