impact

[im-pakt, im-pakt]

noun

1. the striking of one thing against another; forceful contact; collision.

   The impact of the colliding cars broke the windshield.

2. an impinging.

   the impact of light on the eye.

3. influence; effect.

   the impact of Einstein on modern physics.

4. an impacting; forcible impinging.

   the tremendous impact of the shot.

5. the force exerted by a new idea, concept, technology, or ideology.

   the impact of the industrial revolution.

verb (used with object)

1. to drive or press closely or firmly into something; pack in.

2. to fill up; congest; throng.

   A vast crowd impacted St. Peter's Square.

3. to collide with; strike forcefully.

   a rocket designed to impact the planet Mars.

4. to have an impact or effect on; influence; alter.

   The decision may impact your whole career. The auto industry will be impacted by the new labor agreements.

verb (used without object)

1. to have impact or make contact forcefully.

   The ball impacted against the bat with a loud noise.

2. to have an impact or effect.

   Increased demand will impact on sales.

impact

noun

1. the act of one body, object, etc, striking another; collision

2. the force with which one thing hits another or with which two objects collide

3. the impression made by an idea, cultural movement, social group, etc

   the impact of the Renaissance on Medieval Europe

verb

1. to drive or press (an object) firmly into (another object, thing, etc) or (of two objects) to be driven or pressed firmly together

2. to have an impact or strong effect (on)

Usage

The verb impact has developed the transitive sense “to have an impact or effect on” ( The structured reading program has done more to impact the elementary schools than any other single factor ) and the intransitive sense “to have an impact or effect” ( The work done at the computer center will impact on the economy of Illinois and the nation ). Although recent, the new uses are entirely standard and most likely to occur in formal speech and writing. See also impactful.

Other Word Forms

• nonimpact noun
• postimpact adjective
• impaction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impact¹

First recorded in 1775–85; (noun and v.) back formation from impacted

Word History and Origins

Origin of impact¹

C18: from Latin impactus pushed against, fastened on, from impingere to thrust at, from pangere to drive in

Example Sentences

Just a few absences can have an outsize impact, according to controllers and union officials.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

"The uncertainty started to clear and people got back on the road," said Bastian, who also reported that the carrier has seen no meaningful impact to airport operations from the US government shutdown so far.

Read more on Barron's

The carrier is seeing “so much momentum in the marketplace” for travel, and that the government shutdown in the U.S. isn’t expected to have a significant impact, Bastian said on CNBC.

Read more on MarketWatch

Changes in crew awareness could impact reporting rates.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

A 2021 meta-analysis of the impact of videogames found that some games have educational benefits, but heavy gaming can also “lead to addiction and impair ability to focus on effortful goal oriented behavior.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• brunt 
• burden 
• impression 
• influence 
• meaning 
• repercussion 
• significance