1a. The act or process of failing to function or continue. b. The condition resulting from this: a breakdown in communication.2.Electricity The abrupt failure of an insulator or insulating medium to restrict the flow of current. 3. A typically sudden collapse in physical or mental health. 4. An analysis, an outline, or a summary consisting of itemized data or essentials. 5. Disintegration or decomposition into parts or elements. 6. A noisy, energetic American country dance.