collision

American  

[kuh-lizh-uhn] / kəˈlɪʒ ən /

noun

1. the act of colliding; a coming violently into contact; crash.

   the collision of two airplanes.

2. a clash; conflict.

   a collision of purposes.

3. Physics. the meeting of particles or of bodies in which each exerts a force upon the other, causing the exchange of energy or momentum.

---

collision British  

/ kəˈlɪʒən /

noun

1. a violent impact of moving objects; crash

2. the conflict of opposed ideas, wishes, attitudes, etc

   a collision of interests

3. physics an event in which two or more bodies or particles come together with a resulting change of direction and, normally, energy

---

Other Word Forms

• anticollision adjective
• collisional adjective

Etymology

Origin of collision

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin collīsiōn- (stem of collīsiō ), equivalent to collīs ( us ) (past participle of collīdere to collide ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Most of these tankers are over 15 years old, prompting fears of major spills and collisions.

From The Wall Street Journal

One was the result of a collision between a driver and a heavy goods vehicle in east Paris, police said.

From BBC

Evidence from other countries suggests minimum learning periods could reduce collisions by up to 32%.

From BBC

A police force has admitted mixing up the identities of an 18-year-old killed in a car crash with another teenager who survived the collision.

From BBC

It offers several associate of science degrees, including one in automotive and related technology, and another in collision repair.

From Los Angeles Times