Meaning

• To fail, to cease to function.

  "I am afraid my computer will break down if I try to run it at too high a speed."

• 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 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."