crumple zone

noun

: a section of an automobile body designed to absorb the force of an impact in order to protect the passengers

Examples of crumple zone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The design is similar to the crumple zone of cars, which absorbs and disperses impact forces at the point of contact, according to VICIS. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2024 Instead of slowing the craft’s descent, SHIELD — which stands for Simplified High Impact Energy Landing Device — would act like the crumple zone of a car, absorbing much of the energy of a hard impact. Caitlyn Buongiorno, Discover Magazine, 27 Oct. 2022 In Australia, the government dictates that such bumpers be designed and tested to ensure not only total airbag and crumple zone compliance, but that the bumpers actually work to reduce the forces transmitted to the vehicle in an impact. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 27 Jan. 2022 Side-impact protection usually involves the use of EPS foam and other shock-absorbing materials that can lessen the impact of a collision, while the car seat's shell to reduce movement and act as a crumple zone in the event of a side collision. Lauren Corona, chicagotribune.com, 28 Mar. 2021 The entire front of the car in front of the cabin is a crumple zone designed to absorb the impact in a crash before the energy can make its way to the cells. Popular Science, 3 Dec. 2020 But cars started shrinking in the 1980s, and engine bays got smaller as crumple zones and underhood electronics competed with engines for space. Matthew Jancer, Popular Mechanics, 21 Aug. 2018 The brace, then, provides both strength and a crumple zone, of sorts, for the new structure. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 15 Aug. 2019 In the years that followed, additional safety features were added, such as rear-facing child seats, collapsible steering columns, crumple zones and side collision protection. David Krumboltz, The Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crumple zone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crumple zone was in 1973

Dictionary Entries Near crumple zone

Cite this Entry

“Crumple zone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crumple%20zone. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!