catastrophe

noun

ca·tas·tro·phe | \ kə-ˈta-strə-(ˌ)fē

plural catastrophes

Definition of catastrophe

1 : a momentous tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune to utter overthrow or ruin Deforestation and erosion can lead to an ecological catastrophe.

2 : utter failure : fiasco the party was a catastrophe

3a : a violent and sudden change in a feature of the earth

b : a violent usually destructive natural event (such as a supernova)

4 : the final event of the dramatic action especially of a tragedy

Other Words from catastrophe Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about catastrophe

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Other Words from catastrophe

catastrophic \ ˌka-tə-ˈsträ-fik

\ adjective

catastrophically \ ˌka-tə-ˈsträ-fi-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

Did You Know?

When English speakers first borrowed the Greek word catastrophe in the 1500s, they used it for the conclusion or final event of a dramatic work, especially of a tragedy. By the early 1600s, "catastrophe" was being used more generally of any generally unhappy conclusion or disastrous or ruinous end. By the 18th century, "catastrophe" had come to denote truly devastating events, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Finally, it came to be applied to things that are only figuratively catastrophic - burnt dinners, lost luggage, really bad movies, etc.

Examples of catastrophe in a Sentence

The oil spill was an environmental catastrophe. Experts fear a humanitarian catastrophe if food isn't delivered to the refugees soon. an area on the brink of catastrophe

Recent Examples on the Web

JLT Re said global property catastrophe-reinsurance prices for contracts that renewed Jan. 1 slipped 1.2%. — Nicole Friedman, WSJ, "Insurers Push Back Against Paying More for Their Own Insurance," 2 Jan. 2019 This is not a country on the brink of a catastrophe. — Brian Rohan, The Seattle Times, "Expectations low as Yemen’s warring parties meet for talks," 4 Dec. 2018 So, despite the 40% selloff in the past month, the chances of catastrophe at the largely industrial GE are much less likely. — Spencer Jakab, WSJ, "The Case for Buying GE (Yes, Really)," 21 Nov. 2018 In some ways, Russian interference in 2016 was a version of the catastrophe these security engineers had predicted. — Benjamin Wofford, Vox, "The midterms are already hacked. You just don’t know it yet.," 25 Oct. 2018 But around 1588, the bottom of Lake Huila holds evidence of a catastrophe. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Supposedly pristine South American forest had been pre-Columbian farmland," 17 July 2018 Sandoval said county policy dictates two months of operating expenses, nearly $600 million, are available in case of catastrophe. — City News Service, Ramona Sentinel, "Supervisors approve $6 billion budget that bolsters mental health services," 27 June 2018 First, some sort of environmental catastrophe wiped out many of the previous incumbents. — The Economist, "The Cambrian explosion was caused by a lack of oxygen, not an abundance," 7 June 2018 Turner’s song is more about his own actions in the face of such a catastrophe. — Courtney Devores, charlotteobserver, "British folk-punk troubadour draws inspiration from U.S. on latest LP," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'catastrophe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.