cracking

[krak-ing]

noun

1. (in the distillation of petroleum or the like) the process of breaking down certain hydrocarbons into simpler ones of lower boiling points by means of excess heat, distillation under pressure, etc., in order to give a greater yield of low-boiling products than could be obtained by simple distillation.

adverb

1. extremely; unusually.

   We saw a cracking good match at the stadium.

adjective

Informal.

1. done with precision; smart.

   A cracking salute from the honor guard.

cracking

/ ˈkrækɪŋ /

adjective

1. informal,  (prenominal) fast; vigorous (esp in the phrase a cracking pace )

2. informal,  to start doing something quickly or do something with increased speed

adverb

1. informal,  first-class; excellent

   a cracking good match

noun

1. the process in which molecules are cracked, esp the oil-refining process in which heavy oils are broken down into hydrocarbons of lower molecular weight by heat or catalysis See also catalytic cracker

cracking

1. The process of breaking down complex chemical compounds by heating them. Sometimes a catalyst is added to lower the amount of heat needed for the reaction. Cracking is used especially for breaking petroleum molecules into shorter molecules and to extract low-boiling fractions, such as gasoline, from petroleum.

2. See also hydrocracking

Word History and Origins

Origin of cracking¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; crack, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get cracking. crack.

Example Sentences

But there are no recycled Love Islanders among the 19 stars in the first series of The Celebrity Traitors, which has got off to a cracking start.

Read more on BBC

Human rights groups have since accused the army of committing abuses against civilians while tackling the militants, and also cracking down on political dissent and freedom of expression.

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The sounds of roaring engines, screeching tyres and cracking exhaust pipes are often heard tearing through streets surrounding the Croydon Road Tesco store, as car lovers meet there to show off their wheels.

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Skelley says that the gerrymandering planned for Davids will be what he refers to as “cracking.”

Read more on Salon

“I still feel like I can get people out this next month if I need to,” Kershaw said, before cracking a grin: “And then, I don’t have to do that anymore.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amazing 
• astounding 
• awesome 
• colossal 
• dreadful 
• enormous 
• excellent 
• exceptional 
• extraordinary 
• fabulous 
• fantastic 
• formidable 
• great 
• immense 
• incredible 
• marvelous 
• massive 
• monumental 
• prodigious 
• terrible