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.
The inquiry, which looked at the design, build, commissioning and maintenance of the hospital and their impact on patient safety, heard from 186 witnesses.
From BBC
"Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see his impact," his parents said.
From Barron's
Dow noted that child care prices aren’t the only factor dampening the country’s fertility rate — other research has found that things like housing and health care prices also make an impact.
From Salon
For now, Big Pharma remains insulated from severe impact to its bottom line.
Mazari was honoured in 2025 with the Young Inspiration Award by the World Expression Forum for her "extraordinary courage, integrity, and impact in the struggle for the rule of law and justice".
From Barron's
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.
