Definition of "crumble" []

• To break into small fragments or particles. (verb-transitive)
• To fall into small fragments or particles; disintegrate. See Synonyms at decay. (verb-intransitive)
• To give way; collapse: an ego that crumbles under pressure. (verb-intransitive)
• A baked dessert of fruit topped with a crumbly pastry mixture: cherry crumble. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The crumble is my favourite part of the whole bar."
• "Watching Pakistan crumble from a pseudo-democracy into a despotic dictatorship rife with Islamic fundamentalist extremists who threaten the security of the Middle East and victory in Afghanistan is a huge issue."
• "The butter in the crumble is cut in, not melted, making it very crumbly but surprisingly not dry."