First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1crash
verb \ˈkrash\
: to hit something hard enough to cause serious damage or destruction
: to damage (a vehicle) by causing it to hit something
: to make a loud noise by falling, hitting something, etc.
Full Definition of CRASH
transitive verb
1
a : to break violently and noisily : smash b : to damage (an airplane) in landing
2
a : to cause to make a loud noise <crash the cymbals together> b : to force (as one's way) through with loud crashing noises
3
: to enter or attend without invitation or without paying <crash the party>
4
: to move toward aggressively (as in fighting for a rebound) <basketball players crashing the boards>
5
: to cause (a computer system, component, or program) to crash
intransitive verb
1
a : to break or go to pieces with or as if with violence and noise b : to fall, land, or hit with destructive force c : to decline suddenly and steeply d of a computer system, component, or program : to suffer a sudden major failure usually with attendant loss of data
2
: to make a smashing noise <thunder crashing overhead>
3
: to move or force one's way with or as if with a crash <crashes into the room>
4
slang : to experience the aftereffects (as lethargy or depression) of a usually prolonged episode of drug use (as of amphetamines)
5
slang : to go to bed or fall asleep; also : to reside temporarily : stay <crashing with friends for a few days>
— crash·er noun
See crash defined for English-language learners
See crash defined for kids
Origin of CRASH
Middle English crasschen
Related to CRASH
- Synonyms
- break down, smash, shatter
- Antonyms
- start (up)
2crash
noun
Definition of CRASH
1
: a loud sound (as of things smashing) <a crash of thunder>
2
a : a breaking to pieces by or as if by collision b : an instance of crashing <a plane crash> <a system crash>
3
: a sudden decline (as of a population) or failure (as of a business) <a stock market crash>
4
slang : the process of crashing after drug intoxication
First Known Use of CRASH
circa 1580
3crash
adjective
Definition of CRASH
: marked by a concerted effort and effected in the shortest possible time especially to meet emergency conditions <a crash renovation program>
First Known Use of CRASH
1945
4crash
noun
Definition of CRASH
: a coarse fabric used for draperies, toweling, and clothing and for strengthening joints of cased-in books
Origin of CRASH
probably from Russian krashenina colored linen
First Known Use: 1812
CRASHER Defined for Kids
1crash
verb \ˈkrash\
crashedcrash·ing
Definition of CRASH for Kids
1
: to break or go to pieces with or as if with violence and noise : smash
2
: to fall or strike something with noise and damage <A plane crashed in the storm.> <The lamp crashed to the floor.>
3
: to hit or cause to hit something with force and noise <The car crashed into a tree.>
4
: to make or cause to make a loud noise <Thunder crashed overhead.>
5
: to move roughly and noisily <I heard something crashing through the woods.>
6
: to stay for a short time where someone else lives
2crash
noun
Definition of CRASH for Kids
1
: a loud sound (as of things smashing)
2
: an instance of hitting something with force <Two floor-quaking crashes came from the dining room … — Jerry Spinelli, Maniac Magee>
3
: a collision involving a vehicle <a plane crash>
4
: a sudden weakening or failure (as of a business or prices)
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