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

L’Heureux finished a 4-on-2 opportunity that resulted from three Ducks colliding in front of the Nashville net. —Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 8 Apr. 2026

In a city filled with excitement about hosting the 2028 Games, the dream has collided with sticker shock as tickets finally went on sale. —Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026

Now those promises are colliding with fiscal constraints, coalition politics, and the realities of governing. —Darius Khalil Gordon, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026

That gap appears even wider today, as the long-term affordability crisis facing many American households prepares to collide with the sharp rise in gas prices over the past six weeks. —Allie Canal, NBC news, 7 Apr. 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