collision

/kəˈlɪʒən/

/kəˈlɪʒən/

Other forms: collisions

A collision is when two or more things smash together. You shouldn't give yourself a pedicure while driving because it might result in a collision, wrecking your car and spoiling your toenail polish to boot.

Collision comes from the Latin col-, "together," and lædĕre, "to hurt by striking." When a train hits a car, that's a collision. An asteroid hurtling toward earth is on a "collision course" with our planet. Collision also works for abstract conflicts that get violent or hurt your brain somehow, like the collision between two politicians during a debate, or the collision of colors in your outfit.

Definitions of collision

1. noun

   an accident resulting from violent impact of a moving object
   “three passengers were killed in the collision”

   “the collision of the two ships resulted in a serious oil spill”

   types:

   fender-bender

   a collision between motor vehicles that produces minor damage

   pileup

   multiple collisions of vehicles

   smash, smash-up

   a serious collision (especially of motor vehicles)

   type of:

   accident

   an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
2. noun

   (physics) a brief event in which two or more bodies come together
   “the collision of the particles resulted in an exchange of energy and a change of direction”

   synonyms: hit

   type of:

   contact, impinging, striking

   the physical coming together of two or more things
3. noun

   a conflict of opposed ideas or attitudes or goals
   “a collision of interests”

   type of:

   conflict, difference, difference of opinion, dispute

   a disagreement or argument about something important