impact

[ noun im-pakt; verb im-pakt ]

/ noun ˈɪm pækt; verb ɪmˈpækt /

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See synonyms for: impact / impacted / impacting / impacts on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

verb (used with object)

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.

verb (used without object)

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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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of impact

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

usage note for impact

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 WORDS FROM impact

non·im·pact, noun, adjectivepost·im·pact, adjective

Words nearby impact

immutable, IMNSHO, IMO, Imogene, imp, impact, impact adhesive, impacted, impacter, impact extrusion, impactful

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use impact in a sentence

We look for mission-driven founders who believe their companies can make a real and positive impact on the lives of people and patients the world over.
Does early-stage health tech need more ‘patient’ capital?|Steve O'Hear|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
It’s important to recognize the truth of our impacts, to take stock of the enormous destruction we have reaped on this planet’s biodiversity and climate.
Dawn of the Heliocene - Issue 90: Something Green|Summer Praetorius|September 16, 2020|Nautilus
Committed investors, engaged philanthropy, and smart state and local policy can create access to capital for marginalized communities that fosters genuine impact and fights poverty.
Opportunity Zones haven’t fully reached their potential, but don’t write them off yet|jakemeth|September 16, 2020|Fortune
So it starts as a grant, but then it’s mixed with a convertible note that converts based on how much impact they’re creating, measured on metrics that we advise.
Bernard Tyson’s profound impact continues even after his death—through a new social investment fund|cleaf2013|September 16, 2020|Fortune

Faulconer and Housing Commission officials see the proposed purchases as a chance to make a major impact on the city’s homelessness crisis.
Morning Report: The Dreaded Purple Tier|Voice of San Diego|September 16, 2020|Voice of San Diego
In this nervous city in an embattled country, even small explosions can have a big impact.
Is Putin Turning to Terrorism in Ukraine?|Anna Nemtsova|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The EPA felt that the State Department had not looked carefully enough at the impact of the pipeline if oil prices fell.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: Jan. 4|PunditFact.com|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Residents of the neighborhoods where cops are needed the most are mixed on the impact of the apparent slowdown.
Ground Zero of the NYPD Slowdown|Batya Ungar-Sargon|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Strong currents and winds, however, mean any debris could be drifting up to 31 miles a day eastward, away from the impact zone.
Wreckage, Bodies of AirAsia Crash Found|Lennox Samuels|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It made a big impact on him and he realized, “Wow, there really is a Santa, at least in the hearts of some people.”
Kerry Bentivolio: The Congressman Who Believes in Santa Claus|Ben Jacobs|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The impact dragged down on the speed of the roadster so that the rear right fender was only crumpled by the brick work.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
But "son" had rebounded from the impact like a rubber ball, or the best trained gymnast of his school, as he was.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
I saw Johnny Burke's body jerk a bit under the impact of the slugs, but he was too big to be stopped by them.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
I felt the impact of that culture in her interested eyes and in the sleek, smart bearing of her utterly relaxed body.
Valley of the Croen|Lee Tarbell
The impact stresses depend so much on local conditions that it is difficult to fix what allowance should be made.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various

British Dictionary definitions for impact

impact

noun (ˈɪmpækt)

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

verb (ɪmˈpækt)

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)

Derived forms of impact

impaction, noun

Word Origin for impact

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

impact

Origin of impact

usage note for impact

OTHER WORDS FROM impact

Words nearby impact

Words related to impact

How to use impact in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for impact

Derived forms of impact

Word Origin for impact