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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.

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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

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.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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.

Adjective modifier

  • environmental: Working with diocesan staff to reduce the environmental impact of the diocesan offices.

Preposition: on

  • environment: Even the production of renewable energy has some impact on the environment.

Modifies a noun

  • assessment: The decision Council made is subject to a regulatory impact assessment.

Preposition: of

  • change: The impact of climate change is also leading to a change in trend for some species.

Noun used with modifier

  • asteroid: Studies on the beads suggested they were formed in an asteroid impact, but no corresponding crater was found.
impact usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

impact quotes

   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)

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

impact quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"impact." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/impact>

APA Style

impact. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/impact

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