impact
Americannoun
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the striking of one thing against another; forceful contact; collision.
The impact of the colliding cars broke the windshield.
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an impinging.
the impact of light on the eye.
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influence; effect.
the impact of Einstein on modern physics.
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an impacting; forcible impinging.
the tremendous impact of the shot.
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the force exerted by a new idea, concept, technology, or ideology.
the impact of the industrial revolution.
verb (used with object)
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to drive or press closely or firmly into something; pack in.
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to fill up; congest; throng.
A vast crowd impacted St. Peter's Square.
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to collide with; strike forcefully.
a rocket designed to impact the planet Mars.
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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)
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to have impact or make contact forcefully.
The ball impacted against the bat with a loud noise.
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to have an impact or effect.
Increased demand will impact on sales.
noun
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the act of one body, object, etc, striking another; collision
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the force with which one thing hits another or with which two objects collide
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the impression made by an idea, cultural movement, social group, etc
the impact of the Renaissance on Medieval Europe
verb
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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
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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
- impaction noun
- nonimpact noun
- postimpact adjective
Etymology
Origin of impact
First recorded in 1775–85; (noun and v.) back formation from impacted
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While Vietnam's law is a regulatory milestone, analysts said its impact would depend on how the government enforces it and on what guidance it issues on implementation.
From Barron's
If the conflict remains limited to military installations and shipping lanes stay open, the impact on pump prices could be modest.
From Barron's
If the conflict remains limited to military installations and shipping lanes stay open, the impact on pump prices could be modest.
From Barron's
Developments in the region are sure to impact oil prices as soon as trading resumes late Sunday and into early Monday.
From MarketWatch
But there has been little evidence on the financial impact of these relationships on the people involved.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
