The difference between Break down and Separate

When used as verbs, break down means to fail, to cease to function, whereas separate means to divide (a thing) into separate parts.

Separate is also noun with the meaning: anything that is sold by itself, especially an article of clothing.

Separate is also adjective with the meaning: apart from (the rest).

check bellow for the other definitions of Break down and Separate

  1. Break down as a verb (intransitive):

    To fail, to cease to function.

    Examples:

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

    "Talks broke down between Prime Minister John Doe and the opposition party."

    "Relations broke down between Greece and Turkey."

  2. Break down as a verb (ergative, figuratively):

    To render or to become unstable due to stress, to collapse physically or mentally.

    Examples:

    "She is back to work now, after she broke down the other day."

  3. Break down as a verb (ergative, figuratively):

    To render or to become weak and ineffective.

    Examples:

    "His authority and influence over his coordinates broke down gradually."

  4. Break down as a verb (ergative):

    To (cause to) decay, to decompose.

    Examples:

    "Leaves and grass will break down into compost faster if you keep them moist."

  5. Break down as a verb (ergative, figuratively):

    To divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of.

    Examples:

    "If you don't understand, ask him to break down the numbers for you."

  6. Break down as a verb (ergative):

    To digest.

    Examples:

    "His stomach took a while to break down his food."

  1. Break down as a noun:

  1. Separate as an adjective:

    Apart from (the rest); not connected to or attached to (anything else).

    Examples:

    "This chair can be disassembled into five separate pieces."

  2. Separate as an adjective (followed by “from”):

    Not together (with); not united (to).

    Examples:

    "I try to keep my personal life separate from work."

  1. Separate as a verb (transitive):

    To divide (a thing) into separate parts.

    Examples:

    "'Separate the articles from the headings."

  2. Separate as a verb:

    To disunite something from one thing; To disconnect.

  3. Separate as a verb (transitive):

    To cause (things or people) to be separate.

    Examples:

    "If the kids get too noisy, separate them for a few minutes."

  4. Separate as a verb (intransitive):

    To divide itself into separate pieces or substances.

    Examples:

    "The sauce will separate if you don't keep stirring."

  5. Separate as a verb (obsolete):

    To set apart; to select from among others, as for a special use or service.

  1. Separate as a noun (usually, in the plural):

    Anything that is sold by itself, especially an article of clothing.

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