First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1strike
verb \ˈstrīk\
: to hit (someone or something) in a forceful way
: to cause (something) to hit something in a forceful way
: to hit (someone or something) with your hand, a weapon, etc.
struck \ˈstrək\ struck also strick·en \ˈstri-kən\ strik·ing \ˈstrī-kiŋ\
Full Definition of STRIKE
intransitive verb
1
: to take a course : go <struck off through the brush>
2
a : to aim and usually deliver a blow, stroke, or thrust (as with the hand, a weapon, or a tool) b : to arrive with detrimental effect <disaster struck> c : to attempt to undermine or harm something as if by a blow <struck at…cherished notions — R. P. Warren>
3
: to come into contact forcefully <two ships struck in mid channel>
4
: to delete something
5
: to lower a flag usually in surrender
6
a : to become indicated by a clock, bell, or chime <the hour had just struck> b : to make known the time by sounding <the clock struck as they entered>
8
a : to engage in battle b : to make a military attack
9
: to become ignited <the match struck>
10
: to discover something <struck on a new plan of attack>
11
a : to pull on a fishing rod in order to set the hook b of a fish : to seize the bait
13
a of a plant cutting : to take root b of a seed : germinate
14
: to make an impression
15
: to stop work in order to force an employer to comply with demands
16
: to make a beginning <the need to strike vigorously for success>
17
: to thrust oneself forward <he struck into the midst of the argument>
18
: to work diligently : strive
transitive verb
1
a : to strike at : hit b : to drive or remove by or as if by a blow c : to attack or seize with a sharp blow (as of fangs or claws) <struck by a snake> d : inflict <strike a blow> e : to produce by or as if by a blow or stroke <Moses struck water from the rock> f : to separate by a sharp blow <strike off flints>
2
a : to haul down : lower <strike the sails> b : to dismantle and take away <strike the set> c : to strike the tents of (a camp)
3
: to afflict suddenly <stricken by a heart attack>
4
a : to engage in (a battle) : fight b : to make a military attack on
6
a : to penetrate painfully : pierce b : to cause to penetrate <strike the needle> c : to send down or out <trees struck roots deep into the soil>
7
a : to level (as a measure of grain) by scraping off what is above the rim b : to smooth or form (as a mold) with a tool
8
: to indicate by sounding <the clock struck one>
9
a (1) : to bring into forceful contact <struck his head on the doorjamb> (2) : to shake (hands) in confirming an agreement (3) : to thrust suddenly b : to come into contact or collision with <the car struck the tree> c of light : to fall on d of a sound : to become audible to
10
a : to affect with a mental or emotional state or a strong emotion <struck with horror at the sight> b : to affect a person with (a strong emotion) <words that struck fear in the listeners> c : to cause to become by or as if by a sudden blow <struck him dead>
11
a : to produce by stamping <strike a coin> b (1) : to produce (as fire) by or as if by striking (2) : to cause to ignite by friction <strike a match>
12
: to make and ratify the terms of <strike a bargain>
13
a : to play or produce by stroking keys or strings <struck a series of chords on the piano> b : to produce as if by playing an instrument <his voice struck a note of concern>
14
a : to hook (a fish) by a sharp pull on the line b of a fish : to snatch at (a bait)
15
a : to occur to <the answer struck me suddenly> b : to appear to especially as a revelation or as remarkable : impress <it struck the crowd as insensitive>
16
: bewitch
17
: to arrive at by or as if by computation <strike a balance>
19
: to engage in a strike against (an employer)
21
a : to place (a plant cutting) in a medium for growth and rooting b : to so propagate (a plant)
22
: to make one's way along <will strike the southern coast>
23
: to cause (an arc) to form (as between electrodes of an arc lamp)
24
of an insect : to oviposit on or in
— strike it rich
: to become rich usually suddenly
See strike defined for English-language learners
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Origin of STRIKE
Middle English, from Old English strīcan to stroke, go; akin to Old High German strīhhan to stroke, Latin stringere to touch lightly, striga, stria furrow
Synonym Discussion of STRIKE
affect, influence, touch, impress, strike, sway mean to produce or have an effect upon. affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction <the sight affected her to tears>. influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior) <our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing>. touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming <plants touched by frost> <his emotions were touched by her distress>. impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect <only one of the plans impressed him>. strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation <struck by the solemnity of the occasion>. sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action <politicians who are swayed by popular opinion>.
2strike
noun
: a period of time when workers stop work in order to force an employer to agree to their demands
: a military attack
: the act of hitting something with force
Full Definition of STRIKE
1
: a tool for smoothing a surface (as of a mold)
2
: an act or instance of striking
3
a : a work stoppage by a body of workers to enforce compliance with demands made on an employer b : a temporary stoppage of activities in protest against an act or condition
4
: the direction of the line of intersection of a horizontal plane with an uptilted geological stratum
5
a : a pull on a fishing rod to strike a fish b : a pull on a line by a fish in striking
6
: a stroke of good luck; especially : a discovery of a valuable mineral deposit
7
a : a pitched ball that is in the strike zone or is swung at and is not hit fair b : a perfectly thrown ball or pass
8
9
: an act or instance of knocking down all the bowling pins with the first bowl
10
: establishment of roots and plant growth
11
: cutaneous myiasis (as of sheep)
12
a : a military attack; especially : an air attack on a single objective b : a group of airplanes taking part in such an attack
See strike defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of STRIKE
15th century
Other Business Terms
STRIKE[1] Defined for Kids
1strike
verb \ˈstrīk\
struck \ˈstrək\struck also strick·en \ˈstri-kən\strik·ing \ˈstrī-kiŋ\
Definition of STRIKE for Kids
1
: to touch, hit, or affect with force <He struck the horse with a whip.> <The tree was struck by lightning.>
2
: to come into contact or collision with <The ship struck a rock.>
3
: to attack or seize suddenly <The snake struck.>
5
: to lower, take down, or take apart <Let's strike camp.>
6
: to make known by sounding : cause to sound <The clock struck one.>
7
: to affect usually suddenly <She was stricken with a high fever.>
8
: to produce by or as if by a blow <We'll strike fear into the enemy.>
9
: to happen with damaging force or effect <The storm struck the island.>
10
: to cause to ignite by scratching <I struck a match.>
11
: to agree on the arrangements of <We struck a deal.>
12
: to make an impression on <The idea struck me as funny.>
13
: to come to mind <The answer struck me suddenly.>
14
: to produce on a musical instrument <Strike up a tune.>
15
: to remove or cancel with or as if with the stroke of a pen <Strike that name from the list.>
16
: to come upon : discover <Miners struck gold.>
17
: to take on : assume <She struck a relaxed pose.>
18
: to stop work in order to force an employer to meet demands regarding conditions of work
19
: to produce by stamping <The mint is striking a new coin.>
— strike out
: to be out in baseball by getting three strikes during a turn at bat
— strike up
: to cause to begin <We struck up a conversation.>
2strike
noun
Definition of STRIKE for Kids
1
: an act or instance of striking <a lightning strike> <the strike of the clock>
2
: a stopping of work by workers to force an employer to agree to demands
3
: an unhelpful or undesirable characteristic : disadvantage <Their poor attendance was a strike against them.>
4
: a baseball pitch that is not hit fair or that passes through a certain area over home plate (strike zone) without being hit and that counts against the batter
5
: the knocking down of all the pins with the first ball in bowling
6
: a discovery of a valuable mineral deposit <an oil strike>
7
: a military attack <The army launched a strike against the enemy.>
Medical Dictionary
strike
noun \ˈstrīk\
Medical Definition of STRIKE
: cutaneous myiasis (as of sheep) <body strike> <blowfly strike>
Learn More About STRIKE
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