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

The 76ers got a scare in the first quarter when Embiid crumpled to the court after colliding with Quickley, clutching his right knee. — CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026

The well-being of humans and animals collides Willis has been on the sharp end of baboon break-ins at his home. — Neil Shaw, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026

Over 30 people were injured after a tanker collided with a docked riverboat on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans, officials said Friday. — ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026

Initial reports indicate that railroad crossing gates were deployed when an Amtrak train collided with a vehicle on the tracks in Western Springs Wednesday, killing two children. — Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 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