collide

verb

col·​lide kə-ˈlīd How to pronounce collide (audio)
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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The chase ended in shocking fashion when an off-duty officer in a Toyota Camry veered into the biker’s path, deliberately collided with him and sent him and his motorcycle soaring into the air. Joseph Wilkinson, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025 In January, an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a passenger jet at Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport, resulting in 67 deaths. Eoin Higgins, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025 Fission splits the nuclei of atoms to create power while fusion causes hydrogen nuclei to collide and fuse into helium atoms that release incredible amounts of energy — essentially replicating the power of the sun. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2025 Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle. Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for collide

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of collide was in 1700

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Collide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collide. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

collide

verb
col·​lide kə-ˈlīd How to pronounce collide (audio)
collided; colliding
1
: to come together with solid impact
the football players collided
2
: clash entry 1 sense 2a
their different outlooks collided

More from Merriam-Webster on collide

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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