What does collision mean Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/kəˈlɪʒən/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A collision refers to an instance of two or more objects coming into contact with each other, often resulting in damage, injury, or disruption.

Examples

• The car collision on the highway caused a significant traffic jam.
• The asteroid’s collision with Earth led to a mass extinction event.

Synonyms

• Crash
• Impact
• Accident

Antonyms

• Avoidance
• Miss
• Escape

Additional Information

The concept of collision can be applied to various fields, including physics, transportation, and sports. In physics, collisions are used to study the laws of motion and energy transfer. In transportation, collisions often result in damage to vehicles and potentially harm to occupants. In sports, collisions can occur between players, such as in football or hockey, and may result in injuries.

Collisions can also be used to describe abstract concepts, such as the collision of ideas or cultures. This metaphorical usage can help to convey the idea of different perspectives or values coming into conflict.

Understanding collisions is crucial in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and healthcare, where the prevention and mitigation of collisions can save lives and reduce costs.

Etymology

The word “collision” comes from the Latin “collisio,” meaning “a dashing together.”

Usage Notes

When using the word “collision” in a sentence, ensure that it is clear what objects are colliding. In some cases, it may be necessary to provide additional context to avoid ambiguity.

Cultural References

The concept of collision has been featured in various works of fiction, such as in films like “Deep Impact” and “Armageddon,” which depict catastrophic collisions between celestial bodies and Earth.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Collision course: a situation where two or more objects or entities are heading towards a collision or conflict.

Related Words or Phrases

• Impact
• Crash
• Accident
• Wreck

Collocations

• Car collision
• Airplane collision
• Head-on collision

Frequency of Use

The word “collision” is commonly used in modern language, particularly in the context of transportation and safety.

Common Misspellings

• Collison
• Colison