First Known Use: 1601
Dictionary
1impact
verb im·pact \im-ˈpakt\
: to have a strong and often bad effect on (something or someone)
: to hit (something) with great force
Full Definition of IMPACT
transitive verb
1
a : to fix firmly by or as if by packing or wedging b : to press together
2
a : to have a direct effect or impact on : impinge on b : to strike forcefully; also : to cause to strike forcefully
intransitive verb
1
: to have an impact —often used with on
2
: to impinge or make contact especially forcefully
— im·pact·ful \im-ˈpakt-fəl, ˈim-ˌpakt-fəl\ adjective
— im·pac·tive \im-ˈpak-tiv\ adjective
— im·pac·tor also im·pact·er \-tər\ noun
See impact defined for English-language learners
See impact defined for kids
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Origin of IMPACT
Latin impactus, past participle of impingere to push against — more at impinge
Related to IMPACT
Rhymes with IMPACT
abstract, attract, class act, compact, contact, contract, crookbacked, detract, didact, diffract, distract, enact, entr'acte, epact, exact, extract, humpbacked, hunchbacked, infract, intact, mossbacked, playact, protract, react, redact, refract, retract, sex act, subtract, swaybacked, transact, unbacked
2impact
noun im·pact \ˈim-ˌpakt\
: the act or force of one thing hitting another
: a powerful or major influence or effect
Full Definition of IMPACT
1
a : an impinging or striking especially of one body against another b : a forceful contact or onset; also : the impetus communicated in or as if in such a contact
2
: the force of impression of one thing on another : a significant or major effect <the impact of science on our society> <an environmental impact study>
See impact defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of IMPACT
1781
Related to IMPACT
Synonym Discussion of IMPACT
impact, collision, shock, concussion mean a forceful, even violent contact between two or more things. impact may be used to imply contact between two things, at least one of which is impelled toward the other <the glass shattered on impact with the floor>. collision implies the coming together of two or more things with such force that both or all are damaged or their progress is severely impeded <the collision damaged the vehicle>. shock often denotes the effect produced by a collision and carries the suggestion of something that strikes or hits with force <the shock of falling rocks>. concussion when not in technical use, often suggests the shattering, disrupting, or weakening effects of a collision, explosion, or blow <bystanders felt the concussion of the blast>.
IMPACT Defined for Kids
1impact
noun im·pact \ˈim-ˌpakt\
Definition of IMPACT for Kids
1
: a striking of one body against another : collision <The meteor's impact left a crater.>
2
: a strong effect <He warned of the economic impact.>
2impact
verb im·pact \im-ˈpakt\
im·pact·edim·pact·ing
Definition of IMPACT for Kids
1
: to have a strong and often bad effect on <This change will impact all schools.>
2
: to hit with great force
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