impact

The word “impact” means the force of one object striking another; a collision. In plain terms, a strong effect, or the physical force of a collision.

“Impact” is pronounced IHM-pakt (/ˈɪmpækt/ in IPA).

Here is “impact” used in a sentence: “The car crumpled on impact.”

Words with a similar meaning to “impact” include percussion.

Depending on how it is used, “impact” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “impact” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Latin. From Latin impactus, attested in English since the 1600s.

“Impact” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Impact” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the force of one object striking another; a collision.

In its literal sense, impact is the physical force of one object striking another — the moment of collision. Effect is the result or change that follows. A meteor's impact is the strike itself; the crater is its effect. Loosely, 'impact' is also used to mean a strong effect.

No. The original sense is a collision — one object striking another with force. But 'impact' is now widely used figuratively to mean a powerful influence or effect, as in 'the impact of the internet.' Both senses share the idea of one thing forcefully affecting another.

Yes. A physical impact can be measured as force, in newtons, along with the speed and energy involved at the moment of collision — engineers do this in crash testing. The figurative impact of an idea or event is harder to quantify and is usually judged by its consequences.

A car striking a wall, a hammer hitting a nail, or a meteor slamming into the ground are all examples of impact — the force of one object meeting another. The dented metal, driven nail, or crater left behind shows the force that the impact delivered.