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

But as is often the case when a larger movement collides with sports, the athlete participation in a larger movement inspires those same players to push for change within their own walls. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The Amazon cargo plane that sped past the end of a MIA runway collided with two vehicles, killing five and injuring three others who remained hospitalized Tuesday. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026

It’s believed Kennedy experienced spatial disorientation before his plane collided with the Atlantic Ocean, killing all three onboard. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Governor Gavin Newsom’s $787-million defamation suit against Fox News is set for a March 6, 2028 trial, potentially colliding with a presidential run. — Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 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