collide

verb

col·​lide kə-ˈlīd 

collided; colliding

intransitive verb

1

: to come together with solid or direct impact

The car collided with a tree.

Two helicopters collided.

2

: clash

colliding cultures

Science and religion collided in the court.

Synonyms of collide

• clash
• conflict

Examples of collide in a Sentence

Two football players collided on the field.

the candidate had a reputation as a maverick whose positions often collided with the party platform

Recent Examples on the Web

Another driver tailgated Hampton before Hampton changed across the highway’s lanes and collided with a vehicle, Hampton told the officer. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026

Then, when there is a chance that two things in space might collide, experts have a difficult time hashing out exactly how high the risk is. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Construction accidents are not uncommon in India, where rapid infrastructure growth often collides with fragile geology, construction lapses, extreme weather and safety standards. — ABC News, 21 July 2026

The strategy is showing up across the country, but few places illustrate it better than South Florida, where an influx of billionaires has collided with a finite supply of land. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin collidere, from com- + laedere to injure by striking

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for collide

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Kids Definition

collide

verb

col·​lide kə-ˈlīd 

collided; colliding

1

: to come together with solid impact

the football players collided

2

: clash entry 1 sense 2a

their different outlooks collided