Definition of crack
intransitive verb
1 : to make a very sharp explosive sound The whip cracks through the air.
2 : to break, split, or snap apart The statue cracked when she dropped it.
3 : fail: such asa : to lose control or effectiveness under pressure —often used with up The stress was so great that she started to crack up.b : to fail in tone His voice cracked.
4 : to go or travel at good speed —usually used with on The steamboat cracked on.
transitive verb
1a : to break so that fissures appear on the surface crack a mirrorb : to break with a sudden sharp sound crack nuts
2 : to tell especially suddenly or strikingly crack a joke
3 : to strike with a sharp noise : rap then cracks him over the head cracked a two-run homer in the eighth
4a (1) : to open (something, such as a bottle) for drinking (2) : to open (a book) for studyingb : to puzzle out and expose, solve, or reveal the mystery of crack a codec : to break into crack a safed : to open slightly crack the throttlee : to break through (something, such as a barrier) so as to gain acceptance or recognition … on track to crack Hollywood after landing a big screen role. — Ed Gleave and Peter Dykef : to show or begin showing (a smile) especially reluctantly or uncharacteristically
crack the whip
crack wise
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Examples of crack in a Sentence
The hailstones were big enough to crack some windows.
He cracked his collarbone in a skiing accident.
The mirror cracked when she dropped it.
Workers cracked the large rock into three pieces so it could be moved.
The bird cracked the seed on a tree branch.
a tool used for cracking nuts
He cracked open the eggs.
Someone cracked him over the head with a beer bottle.
The baby cracked her chin pretty hard when she fell.
He fell and cracked his elbow on the ice.
Recent Examples of crack from the Web
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In the meantime, the travel industry is trying to crack down on fraud.
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The Hive’s crack team of reporters discuss it all, and more, on the latest episode of V.F. Hive on Cheddar.
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The government of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, which is led by a new firebrand chief minister, has been cracking down on buffalo slaughterhouses this year, even though buffaloes are not considered sacred by Hindus the way cows are.
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Place pan in oven, rotating halfway through until batter is set, top is dark golden brown and starting to crack.
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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said officers would be cracking down on drunken boaters under a program called Operation Dry Water.
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There are dozens of historical examples of men lording it over women by cracking down on beauty treatments, starting with the Spartans, who banned women’s use of all cosmetics.
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Take about 10 oz. of plain Greek yogurt and crack black pepper into it.
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Once simmering, carefully crack an egg and pour the egg into the pot of water.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crack.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of crack
Middle English crakken, from Old English cracian; akin to Old High German chrahhōn to resound
crack
Definition of crack
1a : a loud roll or peal a crack of thunderb : a sudden sharp noise the crack of rifle fire
2 : a sharp witty remark : quip
3a : a narrow break : fissure a crack in the iceb : a narrow opening Leave the door open a crack. cracks between floorboards —used figuratively in phrases like fall through the cracks to describe one that has been improperly or inadvertently ignored or left out a player who fell through the cracks in the college draft Children slipping through the cracks of available youth services.
4a : a weakness or flaw caused by decay, age, or deficiency : unsoundnessb : a broken tone of the voicec : crackpot
6 : housebreaking, burglary
7 : a sharp resounding blow gave him a crack on the head
8 : an attempt or opportunity to do something her first crack at writing a novel got first crack at the job opening
Examples of crack in a Sentence
The crack runs all the way from the top of the wall to the bottom.
an old patio with grass growing up through the cracks
The vase has a few fine cracks, but it is still usable.
I could see them through the crack in the doorway.
Light came through the cracks in the walls of the barn.
Recent Examples of crack from the Web
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A deepening crack in a bedroom ceiling has caused layers of paint to fall, and the sidewalk in front of the house has buckled and crumbled as sand keeps washing out of the wall onto the corner of Kennedy Avenue and Wicker.
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Like all those other techies, though, cracks radiate beneath her sleek veneer like fault lines in the desert.
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That means cracks that can wash dirt supporting the road into the canal.
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Burchman uses a large dremel-like tool to gouge open cracks that have ripped straight across the ceiling.
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The route, known as Freerider, involves a complex system of cracks and a notoriously hard section about two-thirds of the way up with holds the width of a pencil.
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The July gasoline crack spread, a rough measure of the profit from the refining crude into gasoline, fell by $1.38 to settle at $17.20 a barrel.
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Maybe Smith's decision was based on loyalty and let Matta have one more crack at trying to secure a stellar class.
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The Party’s foundation has a growing crack and if it is not addressed quickly, the Party will fall even further behind and ultimately fail in its quest to strengthen its political prospects.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crack.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of crack
see 1crack
crack
Definition of crack
: of superior excellence or ability a crack marksman
Examples of crack in a Sentence
The company has a crack sales force.
known as one of the college's crack tennis players
Origin and Etymology of crack
see 1crack
CRACK Defined for English Language Learners
crack
playDefinition of crack for English Language Learners
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: to break (something) so that there are lines in its surface but it is usually not separated into pieces
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: to hit or press (something) so hard that it breaks apart or opens suddenly
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: to hit (someone or something) hard and usually suddenly
crack
Definition of crack for English Language Learners
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: a thin line in the surface of something that is broken but not separated into pieces
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: a very narrow space or opening between two things or two parts of something
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: a sudden loud, sharp sound
crack
Definition of crack for English Language Learners
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: very good : of excellent quality or ability
CRACK Defined for Kids
Definition of crack for Students
cracked
;cracking
1 : to break or cause to break with a sudden sharp sound crack an egg
2 : to break often without completely separating into parts The ice cracked in several places.
3 : to make or cause to make a sound as if breaking crack a whip
4 : to open a small amount crack a window
5 : to tell (a joke) especially in a clever way
6 : to lose self-control He cracked under the strain.
7 : to change in tone quality My voice cracked from emotion.
8 : to strike or receive a sharp blow … I bounced sideways and cracked my head on the half-open window … — Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control
crack up
Definition of crack for Students
1 : a narrow break or opening a crack in the glass
2 : a sudden sharp noise a crack of thunder
3 : a sharp clever remark
4 : a broken tone of the voice
5 : the beginning moment I awoke at the crack of dawn.
6 : a sharp blow
7 : 2attempt It was my first crack at writing.
Medical Dictionary
crack
playMedical Definition of crack
: a potent form of cocaine that is obtained by treating the hydrochloride of cocaine with sodium bicarbonate to create small chips used illicitly usually for smoking
Learn More about crack
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See words that rhyme with crack Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for crack Spanish Central: Translation of crack Nglish: Translation of crack for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of crack for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crack
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