Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A severe overheating of a nuclear reactor core, resulting in melting of the core and escape of radiation.
- noun A disastrous situation; a failure or collapse.
- noun Informal An emotional breakdown.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun Severe
overheating of thecore of anuclear reactor resulting in the core melting and radiation escaping. - noun A situation being likened to a nuclear meltdown; a
crisis . - noun figuratively A
tantrum .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun severe overheating of the core of a nuclear reactor resulting in the core melting and radiation escaping
- noun a disaster comparable to a nuclear meltdown
Etymologies
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Examples
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The term "meltdown" does not necessarily mean that the entire nuclear core has turned into a molten glob of metal and ceramic.
Nuclear power industry watches warily as Japan's aging reactor is hit hard 2011
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The term "meltdown" does not necessarily mean that the entire nuclear core has turned into a molten glob of metal and ceramic.
Nuclear power industry watches warily as Japan's aging reactor is hit hard 2011
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- If the rods get too hot, they can eventually melt, thus the term "meltdown."
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Now my brain meltdown is spreading to my virtual super-self.
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Those of us who live here, and have no easy way of getting out, don't really care about the technical definition of the word "meltdown" - we just hope no more radiation escapes from the damaged reactors, and that the ground under our feet holds still for a while again.
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Part of the confusion in the coverage of these events has been generated by the use of the term "meltdown."
Wired Top Stories John Timmer 2011
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No matter what anyone thinks or says the meltdown is here.
Page 4 2008
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No matter what anyone thinks or says the meltdown is here.
Page 4 2008
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No matter what anyone thinks or says the meltdown is here.
Page 4 2008
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No matter what anyone thinks or says the meltdown is here.
Page 4 2008
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