English · Phrasal verb Attested

melt down

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To melt fully, especially metal or glass so that it can be remade into something else.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

The Great Exhibition of 1851 is also very much in King's Cross's DNA. The clock in its short, Italianate central tower came from the Exhibition and in its early years it struck the hours, but the bells were first silenced in the First World War and then melted down during the Second World War.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To lose structure by being heated to a molten state.

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To have a breakdown; to collapse or fail utterly.

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “melt down” mean?

To melt fully, especially metal or glass so that it can be remade into something else.

Is “melt down” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.