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

It said it was cracking down on criminal gangs that exploited the chaos to loot aid and attack other Palestinians.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Chinese authorities are cracking down on imports of semiconductors with the aim of stopping its domestic companies from buying Nvidia hardware, the Financial Times reported Friday, citing anonymous sources.

Read more on Barron's

After being sworn in, Jeri vowed to spend the remainder of the presidential term cracking down on spiralling violence linked to extortion rackets run by organized crime gangs.

Read more on Barron's

“I’m so excited,” she said, her voice cracking as tears appeared in her eyes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The author also describes new evidence, based on recent videography from the site of the wreck, that the men knew their ship was cracking apart.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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