First Known Use: 1540
Dictionary
catastrophe
noun ca·tas·tro·phe \kə-ˈtas-trə-(ˌ)fē\
: a terrible disaster
Full Definition of CATASTROPHE
1
: the final event of the dramatic action especially of a tragedy
2
: a momentous tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune to utter overthrow or ruin
3
a : a violent and sudden change in a feature of the earth b : a violent usually destructive natural event (as a supernova)
4
: utter failure : fiasco <the party was a catastrophe>
— cat·a·stroph·ic \ˌka-tə-ˈsträ-fik\ adjective
— cat·a·stroph·i·cal·ly \-fi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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Origin of CATASTROPHE
Greek katastrophē, from katastrephein to overturn, from kata- + strephein to turn
Related to CATASTROPHE
Other Literature Terms
CATASTROPHIC Defined for Kids
catastrophe
noun ca·tas·tro·phe \kə-ˈta-strə-fē\
Definition of CATASTROPHE for Kids
1
: a sudden disaster <The oil spill was an environmental catastrophe.>
2
: complete failure : fiasco <The party was a catastrophe.>
Medical Dictionary
catastrophe
noun ca·tas·tro·phe \kə-ˈtas-trə-fē\
Medical Definition of CATASTROPHE
: death (as from an inexplicable cause) before, during, or after an operation
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