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collision
/kəˈlɪʒən/
a violent crash between two or more objects
The collision between the two cars caused significant damage.
A violent crash between two cars resulted in substantial damage.
general
an instance of two or more objects or vehicles striking each other violently
The collision at the intersection was caused by a driver running a red light.
The crash at the intersection happened because a driver ignored the traffic signal.
Often used in contexts involving vehicles, sports, or physics.
technical
in physics, an event where two particles or objects interact, often resulting in energy transfer or transformation
The collision of electrons with atoms in a gas produces light.
When electrons hit atoms in a gas, they emit light.
In particle physics, collisions are studied to understand fundamental forces and particles.
Law
formal
in law, a legal term referring to a situation where two or more parties have conflicting rights or claims
The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff to resolve the collision of interests.
The judge decided in favor of the plaintiff to settle the conflicting claims.
Used in legal contexts to describe conflicts in rights or obligations.
Collocations
head-on collisiona direct crash where vehicles or objects hit each other frontallycollision coursea situation where two or more entities are on a path to conflict or impact
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning of 'collision' can vary significantly depending on whether it's used in everyday language, physics, or law.
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
While 'collision' is precise, in casual speech, 'crash' or 'impact' may sound more natural.
Word Origin
From Latin 'collisio', meaning 'a striking together', from 'collidere' (to strike together).
Usage Notes
In everyday language, 'collision' typically refers to a violent crash, especially involving vehicles. In technical contexts, it can refer to interactions in physics or legal conflicts.
Word Breakdown
col-
together
prefix-lision
striking
suffixEnglish Dictionary