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

In the end, the matchup felt like two eras colliding between two different franchises. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026

After the Mazda and the truck collided, both vehicles hit the Nissan, which was headed south on Route 23. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Every present thought, every present feeling, collides with a league of their familial ghosts. — Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026

Twelve hours into the Empress’s voyage, the ship collided with the SS Størsad, and1,012 passengers died instantly. — Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 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