collision

noun

col·​li·​sion kə-ˈli-zhən 

1

: an act or instance of colliding : clash

2

: an encounter between particles (such as atoms or molecules) resulting in exchange or transformation of energy

collisional

kə-ˈlizh-nəl 

-ˈli-zhə-nᵊl

adjective

collisionally adverb

Synonyms

• bump
• concussion
• crash
• impact
• impingement
• jar
• jolt
• jounce
• kick
• shock
• slam
• smash
• strike
• wallop

Choose the Right Synonym for collision

impact, collision, shock, concussion mean a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things.

impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other.

the glass shattered on impact with the floor

collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded.

the collision damaged the vehicle

shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force.

the shock of falling rocks

concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow.

bystanders felt the concussion of the blast

Examples of collision in a Sentence

The car was destroyed in the collision.

the collision of two opposing philosophies regarding the rearing of children

Recent Examples on the Web

When a player suffers a collision that reaches a designated threshold, the screen turns red, and the player’s number and team are identified in an alert. —Jeffrey Tomik, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024

Louisville Metro Police responded to a call about a motor vehicle collision on Interstate 64 westbound and found that two tractor trailers had collided, LMPD spokesperson Aaron Ellis said. —The Courier-Journal, 2 Apr. 2024

The Lamborghini hit the center median wall, causing a chain-reaction collision with a total of six vehicles. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 2 Apr. 2024

Abrego’s collision with the Mexican Mafia underscores the uncomfortable and often unspoken relationship between Latino artists who rap about criminal activities and men who actually direct them. —Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024

Some of the roughly 4,000 containers on board were dislodged in the collision, authorities said, with a few already in the water, or dangling precariously off the edge of the ship. —Joel Rose, NPR, 29 Mar. 2024

Material representation can be added from a standard library, and basic measurements and clearance can be analyzed for equipment (machines, carts, racks, etc.), and interference/collision with plant infrastructure can be analyzed. —Manojdeep Jasrotia, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

Instead of assuming that the collision was due to a systems failure on the cargo ship, online conspiracy theorists have taken to blaming everyone from Nickelodeon to the CIA to DEI initiatives, as reported by my colleague David Gilbert. —Makena Kelly, WIRED, 28 Mar. 2024

How many bridges are vulnerable to ship collisions? —CBS News, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin collision-, collisio, from collidere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing collision

• anti-collision
• collision course
• head-on collision
• inelastic collision
• on a collision course

Kids Definition

collision

noun

col·​li·​sion kə-ˈlizh-ən 

: an act or instance of colliding