impact
IHM-pakt
Impact (noun) means the force of one object striking another; a collision. Example: “The bike helmet absorbed most of the impact when she fell.”
noun
1
The force of one object striking another; a collision.
"The bike helmet absorbed most of the impact when she fell."
"Glass shattered on impact with the hard stone floor."
"The car crumpled on impact."
2
A significant effect or influence.
"Social media has had a huge impact on how young people communicate."
"The new policy had a major impact on small businesses."
"Her mentorship had a lasting impact on his career."
verb
1
To have a significant effect on something.
"Bad weather can impact the number of visitors who come to the park."
"Lack of sleep will impact how well you concentrate at work."
"Rising fuel costs impacted every airline that year."
2
To strike or collide with something forcefully.
"The ball impacted the wall with a loud thud and bounced back."
"Hailstones impacted the car roof so hard that they left small dents."
"The meteor impacted the desert floor at high speed."
How to use impact
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong effect, or the physical force of a collision.
Common mistake
Some style guides frown on "impact" as a verb meaning "affect" in formal writing — "affect" or "influence" is a safer choice there.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
have an impact on
environmental impact
impact on impact
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Word forms
- Plural
- impacts
- Third person singular
- impacts
- Past tense
- impacted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bike helmet absorbed most of the _____ when she fell.
Etymology
From Latin impactus, attested in English since the 1600s.
Class of 1600
impact joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “impact” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “impact”?
“Impact” is pronounced IHM-pakt (/ˈɪmpækt/ in IPA).
How do you use “impact” in a sentence?
Here is “impact” used in a sentence: “The car crumpled on impact.”
What is another word for “impact”?
Words with a similar meaning to “impact” include percussion.
What part of speech is “impact”?
Depending on how it is used, “impact” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “impact” come from?
The word “impact” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Latin. From Latin impactus, attested in English since the 1600s.
Is “impact” a common word?
“Impact” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “impact” have?
“Impact” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the force of one object striking another; a collision.
What is the difference between impact and effect?
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.
Does impact only mean a physical collision?
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.
Can impact be measured?
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.
What is an example of impact?
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.
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