impact
[noun im-pakt; verb im-pakt]
- the striking of one thing against another; forceful contact; collision: The impact of the colliding cars broke the windshield.
- an impinging: the impact of light on the eye.
- influence; effect: the impact of Einstein on modern physics.
- an impacting; forcible impinging: the tremendous impact of the shot.
- the force exerted by a new idea, concept, technology, or ideology: the impact of the industrial revolution.
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- to drive or press closely or firmly into something; pack in.
- to fill up; congest; throng: A vast crowd impacted St. Peter's Square.
- to collide with; strike forcefully: a rocket designed to impact the planet Mars.
- 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.
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- to have impact or make contact forcefully: The ball impacted against the bat with a loud noise.
- to have an impact or effect: Increased demand will impact on sales.
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Origin of impact
First recorded in 1775–85; (noun and v.) back formation from impacted
Usage note
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
shockbruntimpressioninfluencerepercussionmeaningburdensignificancejoltpoundquiverrapbumpramimpingementslapstrokequakeshakecrashExamples from the Web for impact
Contemporary Examples
The EPA felt that the State Department had not looked carefully enough at the impact of the pipeline if oil prices fell.
Residents of the neighborhoods where cops are needed the most are mixed on the impact of the apparent slowdown.
Strong currents and winds, however, mean any debris could be drifting up to 31 miles a day eastward, away from the impact zone.
And the hope is that if you can change their individual lives, it will have an impact on their families.
The change is also likely to impact the potential paydays of Cuban players coming to the United States.
Historical Examples
The impact of sounds on his ear from the receiver set him to attention.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
Another belt crashed from the ship, heaved the ground under its impact.
Slaves of MercuryNat Schachner
This time the impact was so great the door could not withstand it, and down it came with a thud.
The Dare Boys of 1776Stephen Angus Cox
In a daze, groping blindly for support, he waited for the shock of impact.
Mr. Adolph Meyers sprang to his feet with the impact of the shock.
Blue-grass and BroadwayMaria Thompson Daviess
impact
- the act of one body, object, etc, striking another; collision
- the force with which one thing hits another or with which two objects collide
- the impression made by an idea, cultural movement, social group, etcthe impact of the Renaissance on Medieval Europe
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- to drive or press (an object) firmly into (another object, thing, etc) or (of two objects) to be driven or pressed firmly together
- to have an impact or strong effect (on)
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Word Origin
C18: from Latin impactus pushed against, fastened on, from impingere to thrust at, from pangere to drive in
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for impact
v.
c.1600, "press closely into something," from Latin impactus, past participle of impingere "to push into, dash against, thrust at" (see impinge). Originally sense preserved in impacted teeth (1876). Sense of "strike forcefully against something" first recorded 1916. Figurative sense of "have a forceful effect on" is from 1935. Related: Impacting.
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n.
1781, "collision," from impact (v.). Figurative sense of "forceful impression" is from 1817 (Coleridge).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper