cracking

American  

[krak-ing] / ˈkræk ɪŋ /

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.

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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.

idioms

1. get cracking. crack.

cracking British  

/ 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

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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 Scientific  

/ krăk′ĭng /

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

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Etymology

Origin of cracking

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; crack, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Chinese authorities have tried to counter the competitive learning culture by cracking down on cram schools in recent years -- but tutoring, paid under the table, remains in demand.

From Barron's

Cobalt tends to promote cracking, but it also helps reduce a separate issue known as Li/Ni disorder.

From Science Daily

Head was promoted to opener in the second innings at Perth when Usman Khawaja was sidelined with back spasms and has kept the position, cracking two centuries.

From Barron's

But Prof Tara Spires-Jones, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Science at the University of Edinburgh, thinks these two drugs have "really opened the door" for cracking Alzheimer's.

From BBC

In 2021, the Railroad Commission of Texas, the agency that oversees the oil-and-gas industry in the state, began cracking down on deep disposal.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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