'breakdown' originates from the combination of 'break' and 'down', where 'break' meant 'to separate into parts' and 'down' indicated 'a lower position'.

'breakdown' evolved from the Old English 'brecan' meaning 'to break' and 'dūn' meaning 'hill', eventually forming the modern English word 'breakdown'.

Initially, it meant 'to break something down physically', but over time it evolved into its current meanings, including mechanical failure and mental collapse.