'burn out' definitions:

Definition of 'burn out'

From: WordNet
verb
Melt, break, or become otherwise unusable; "The lightbulbs blew out"; "The fuse blew" [syn: blow out, burn out, blow]

Definition of 'burn out'

From: GCIDE
  • burn out \burn out\ v. i.
  • 1. To burn till the fuel is exhausted; as, when the candle burned out the room was totally dark; the firefighters couldn't control the oil tank fire and had to let it burn out by itself. [1913 Webster +PJC]
  • 2. To stop functioning due to failure of some component caused by the heat of the electrical current used in its operation; -- of electrical devices. [PJC]
  • 3. To become apathetic or depressed, and cease to function effectively, due to the fatigue and frustration of prolonged stress and overwork; -- of people; as, the stress in the bond market is so great that many traders burn out after only ten years on the job. [PJC]