Collateral damage Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

The injury or damage to people or things that is not the main target of an action, especially in war or military conflict.

Examples

• The bombing of the city caused collateral damage to nearby residential areas.
• The army was criticized for the high amount of collateral damage in the fighting.

Synonyms

• Incidental damage
• Unintended consequence

Antonyms

• Casualty
• Military target

Etymology

The term “collateral damage” originated in the 19th century, derived from Latin words “collateralis,” meaning “serving alongside,” and “damnum,” meaning “damage.” It was initially used in a broader sense to describe damage to non-combatants in conflicts, but gained notoriety during the Gulf War and subsequent military operations.

Usage Notes

The term “collateral damage” is typically used in a military or wartime context to describe the unintended consequences of an action. However, it can also be used more broadly to describe any unforeseen or unintended outcome, such as the economic damage caused by natural disasters or the environmental damage caused by human activities.

Cultural References

The term “collateral damage” has appeared in various TV shows, movies, and literature, including the TV series “Black Mirror” and the novel “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

The term “collateral damage” is often used in idiomatic expressions such as “unintended consequences” or “blowback,” which describe the unforeseen effects of an action.

Related Words or Phrases

Closely related words or phrases include “incidental damage,” “unintended consequence,” and “civilians.”

Collocations

The term “collateral damage” is often collocated with words such as “casualty,” “military,” “bombing,” and “conflict.”

Frequency of Use

The term “collateral damage” is increasingly used in modern language, particularly in the context of military operations and conflict reporting.

Common Misspellings

Common misspellings include “collateral damaige” and “collaterel damage.”