crunch

[kruhnch]

verb (used with object)

1. to crush with the teeth; chew with a crushing noise.

2. to crush or grind noisily.

3. to tighten or squeeze financially.

   The administration's policy seems to crunch the economy in order to combat inflation.

verb (used without object)

1. to chew with a crushing sound.

2. to produce, or proceed with, a crushing noise.

noun

1. an act or sound of crunching.

2. a shortage or reduction of something needed or wanted.

   the energy crunch.

3. distress or depressed conditions due to such a shortage or reduction.

   a budget crunch.

4. a critical or dangerous situation.

   When the crunch comes, just do your best.

crunch

/ krʌntʃ /

verb

1. to bite or chew (crisp foods) with a crushing or crackling sound

2. to make or cause to make a crisp or brittle sound

   the snow crunched beneath his feet

noun

1. the sound or act of crunching

2. short for abdominal crunch

3. informal,  the critical moment or situation

adjective

1. informal,  critical; decisive

   crunch time

Other Word Forms

• crunchable adjective
• crunchy adjective
• crunchily adverb
• crunchiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of crunch¹

1795–1805; blend of craunch and crush

Word History and Origins

Origin of crunch¹

C19: changed (through influence of _munch ) from earlier craunch, of imitative origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. crunch numbers,

   1. to perform a great many numerical calculations or extensive manipulations of numerical data.

   2. to process a large amount of data.

Example Sentences

Busywork that required long hours crunched over a computer is happening autonomously, and entry-level workers are struggling to gain a career foothold—and the professional status coming from white-collar work.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

However, there can be no doubt that this result has massively lifted the mood around Anfield before a crunch period for the club, with one of their all-time greats playing a vital role.

Read more on BBC

BBC Sport looks at the big decisions Wane has faced this week for a crunch encounter with the world champions.

Read more on BBC

Honda this week began stopping production across North American facilities in response to the semiconductor crunch.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Wheels crunched on gravel as the delivery truck rolled onto the driveway and up to the top of the hill.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• crisis 
• difficulty 
• trouble