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impact Definition

im·pact (im pakt′, im′pakt′; for n. im′pakt′)

transitive verb

  1. to force tightly together; pack; wedge
  2. to affect: a usage objected to by some

Etymology: < L impactus, pp. of impingere, to press firmly together: see impinge

intransitive verb

  1. to hit with force
  2. to have an effect: usually with on: a usage objected to by some

noun

  1. a striking together; violent contact; collision
  2. the force of a collision; shock
  3. the power of an event, idea, etc. to produce changes, move the feelings, etc.

impact Related Forms
im·pac′·tion noun
impact Synonyms

impact

n.

  1. Collision

    shock, impression, contact; see collision 1.

  2. Effect

    influence, bearing, force, consequence, repercussions, reverberations, impinging, impression; see also meaning, result.

impact Synonyms

impact

v.

  1. To hit with force

    strike, collide with, smash into; see crash 4, hit 2.

  2. *To affect

    impinge on, bear on, reshape; see affect 1, change 1, influence.

impact Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • assess: The trial has been to assess the impact of moving from a " passengers booked " to " value " based scheme.
  • minimize: Manage risk within the e commerce context in order to minimize the impact of problems that emerge.
  • reduce: Working with diocesan staff to reduce the environmental impact of the diocesan offices.
  • evaluate: This involved evaluating the impact of a major corporate change program.
  • have: The minimum wage had minimal impact on the pay of UNISON members.
  • examine: The first set of analyzes examined the impact of.. ... .

Adjective modifier

  • environmental: Working with diocesan staff to reduce the environmental impact of the diocesan offices.
  • negative: The UK has signed up to international agreements to reduce the negative impacts of climate change.
  • positive: The video has already made a positive impact on lunchtimes.
  • adverse: However, smaller overhead street distribution networks can have more localized adverse impact, especially in Conservation Areas.
  • significant: ASBOs have significant impact on those affected by them.
  • potential: The study will assess the potential impact of the costs of future technologies.

Preposition: on

  • environment: Even the production of renewable energy has some impact on the environment.
  • economy: The crisis of August in 1998 in Russia had a strong impact on the economy.

Modifies a noun

  • assessment: The decision Council made is subject to a regulatory impact assessment.
  • crater: The pictures show circular features, which could either be impact craters or sinkholes.

Preposition: of

  • change: The impact of climate change is also leading to a change in trend for some species.
  • aviation: She takes a strong interest in the environmental impact of aviation and is campaigning locally against Government plans to expand Stansted Airport.

Noun used with modifier

  • asteroid: Studies on the beads suggested they were formed in an asteroid impact, but no corresponding crater was found.
  • climate: Medium-term declines in some seabirds may be in response to climate change impacts on food availability.
impact Quotes

With all allowance made for Marx's erudition and his historic impact upon the social sciences, especially sociology, it is as an art united with prophecy, virtually religious prophecy, that Marxism survives.

—Nisbet, Robert

   The only way to escape misrepresentation is never to commit oneself to any critical judgement that makes an impactöthat is, never say anything.

—Leavis, F(rank) R(aymond)