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 suspect, who was traveling west on 9th Street, approaching Benton Boulevard, failed to stop for a red traffic signal and collided with a blue pickup truck traveling south on Benton Boulevard, police said in a news release. —Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2026

The first near-death experience of Volume 3 occurred as the radio tower ruptured the Abyss as the worlds started colliding. —Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE, 1 Jan. 2026

As their worlds collide, fractures begin to appear in their daily existence. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026

According to Fort Worth police, two vehicles collided near the 600 block of East Loop 820 North. —Doug Myers, CBS News, 1 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1700, 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