shipwreck

[ ship-rek ]

/ ˈʃɪpˌrɛk /

See synonyms for: shipwreck / shipwrecked / shipwrecking on Thesaurus.com

noun

the destruction or loss of a ship, as by sinking.

the remains of a wrecked ship.

destruction or ruin: the shipwreck of one's hopes.

verb (used with object)

to cause to suffer shipwreck.

to destroy; ruin.

verb (used without object)

to suffer shipwreck.

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Origin of shipwreck

before 1100; Middle English shipwrech remains of a shipwreck; see ship¹, wreck; replacing Old English scipwræc (see wrack)

Words nearby shipwreck

ship's stores, ships that pass in the night, ship-to-shore, shipway, shipworm, shipwreck, shipwright, shipyard, shiralee, Shiraz, shire

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for shipwreck

Instead, the Giglese will commemorate the shipwreck with a prayer service on Jan. 13 every year, and nothing more.
Saying Goodbye to the Salvage Saviors of Giglio|Barbie Latza Nadeau|July 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How much is a terrifying experience like surviving a shipwreck worth?
Why Survivors Aren’t Buying Costa Concordia’s Compensation Offer|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He faces charges of multiple manslaughter, abandoning ship, and causing a shipwreck.
Costa Concordia Mess Widens With Salvage Team, Criminal Probe|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He faces pending charges for multiple counts of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck, and abandoning ship.
Francesco Schettino, the Costa Concordia’s Daredevil Captain|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Two days after the shipwreck, five are confirmed dead and 17 are unaccounted for—reportedly including two Americans.
Italy Searches for Costa Concordia Survivors|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But there was little need to do anything that might lead to shipwreck; the deadly coast itself was enough.
The Cornwall Coast|Arthur L. Salmon
I sat in the boat stripped and shivering, for shipwreck seemed certain, and I did not wish to be drowned like a rat.
An Australian in China|George Ernest Morrison
As to the storm and shipwreck of her life, I learned no particulars essentially new.
Meadow Grass|Alice Brown
Many misfortunes, storms, shipwreck, and fever befell them on the voyage.
From Pole to Pole|Sven Anders Hedin
Five hundred had perished in shipwreck, more had been massacred in Illyria, none had received reward.
The Law of Civilization and Decay|Brooks Adams

British Dictionary definitions for shipwreck

shipwreck

/ (ˈʃɪpˌrɛk) /

noun

the partial or total destruction of a ship at sea

a wrecked ship or part of such a ship

ruin or destructionthe shipwreck of all my hopes

verb (tr)

to wreck or destroy (a ship)

to bring to ruin or destruction

Word Origin for shipwreck

Old English scipwræc, from ship + wræc something driven by the sea; see wrack ²

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

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