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

“He was always cracking jokes especially when we were playing sports—he’s a real jokester,” recalled his high school teammate Nick Reeves.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

His wife had already basted the family turkey the night before and now she was cracking 180 eggs with a smile and wearing plastic gloves.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"These Games come at a critical part in our history," she said, her voice cracking.

Read more on Barron's

An AFP reporter heard loud cracking sounds, possibly from the burning bamboo, and saw thick plumes of smoke billowing from at least four buildings as flames and ash reached high into the sky.

Read more on Barron's

First it was widespread damage from accelerating land movement in early 2024: roads and homes splitting, cracking and dropping, some beyond repair.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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