collision
Americannoun
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the act of colliding; a coming violently into contact; crash.
the collision of two airplanes.
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a clash; conflict.
a collision of purposes.
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Physics. the meeting of particles or of bodies in which each exerts a force upon the other, causing the exchange of energy or momentum.
noun
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a violent impact of moving objects; crash
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the conflict of opposed ideas, wishes, attitudes, etc
a collision of interests
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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
Derived Forms
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
Explanation
A collision is when two or more things smash together. You shouldn't give yourself a pedicure while driving because it might result in a collision, wrecking your car and spoiling your toenail polish to boot. Collision comes from the Latin col-, "together," and lædĕre, "to hurt by striking." When a train hits a car, that's a collision. An asteroid hurtling toward earth is on a "collision course" with our planet. Collision also works for abstract conflicts that get violent or hurt your brain somehow, like the collision between two politicians during a debate, or the collision of colors in your outfit.
Vocabulary lists containing collision
Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer - Introductory
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Force and Motion (Mechanics) - Middle School
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Force and Motion (Mechanics) - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In 2021, Musk dismissed the collision concerns: “Space is just extremely enormous,” he said, “and satellites are very tiny.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
Essex Police said the driver of a Ford KA, 18, was arrested in connection with the collision and later released under investigation.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
Third baseman Max Muncy exited in the fifth inning after a collision at first base, and Santiago Espinal replaced him.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026
Roughly 44 people were sent to area hospitals after the collision, three with critical injuries, police said.
From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026
As Arachne fell, she screamed like a freight train on a collision course; but her wailing rapidly faded.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
