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catastrophe

noun
ca·​tas·​tro·​phe | \ kÉ™-ˈta-strÉ™-(ËŒ)fÄ“ How to pronounce catastrophe (audio) \
plural catastrophes

Definition of catastrophe

1 : a momentous tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune to utter overthrow or ruin Deforestation and erosion can lead to an ecological catastrophe.
2 : utter failure : fiasco the party was a catastrophe
3a : a violent and sudden change in a feature of the earth
b : a violent usually destructive natural event (such as a supernova)
4 : the final event of the dramatic action especially of a tragedy
Other Words from catastrophe Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about catastrophe

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Other Words from catastrophe

catastrophic \ ËŒka-​tÉ™-​ˈsträ-​fik How to pronounce catastrophic (audio) \ adjective
catastrophically \ ËŒka-​tÉ™-​ˈsträ-​fi-​k(É™-​)lÄ“ How to pronounce catastrophically (audio) \ adverb

Did You Know?

When English speakers first borrowed the Greek word catastrophe in the 1500s, they used it for the conclusion or final event of a dramatic work, especially of a tragedy. By the early 1600s, "catastrophe" was being used more generally of any generally unhappy conclusion or disastrous or ruinous end. By the 18th century, "catastrophe" had come to denote truly devastating events, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Finally, it came to be applied to things that are only figuratively catastrophic - burnt dinners, lost luggage, really bad movies, etc.

Examples of catastrophe in a Sentence

The oil spill was an environmental catastrophe. Experts fear a humanitarian catastrophe if food isn't delivered to the refugees soon. an area on the brink of catastrophe
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Few cybersecurity analysts will take the bet that NotPetya will remain a one-off catastrophe. — Andy Greenberg, WIRED, "The WIRED Guide to Cyberwar," 23 Aug. 2019 Check out more funny videos of amusement park wig catastrophes. — Shalwah Evans, Essence, "MUST WATCH: Another Wig Is Lost To An Amusement Park Ride And It's Hilarious," 23 Aug. 2019 Inspired by her own recent Christmas catastrophe, Kelly Rowland plays Jacquie — a successful, super-together single tech entrepreneur whose messy family descends on her gleaming new dream home for the holidays. — Dan Snierson, EW.com, "Here's when all 28 new Lifetime Christmas movies will air," 22 Aug. 2019 The best case is that the situation remains merely dangerous, rather than becoming a catastrophe. — Nr Editors, National Review, "The Week," 22 Aug. 2019 Decades of miserable history had to pass before the comedy buried within their malignity was revealed, like a vein of ore uncovered by a natural catastrophe. — Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, "When W. E. B. Du Bois Made a Laughingstock of a White Supremacist," 19 Aug. 2019 No one could have anticipated such a catastrophe, people said. — AZCentral.com, "Of small communities across 11 states, more than 500 have a higher wildfire hazard potential than Paradise, Calif.," 23 July 2019 The food, water and power crises are part of a broader economic catastrophe. — The Economist, "Zimbabwe faces its worst economic crisis in a decade," 15 Aug. 2019 Only a self righteous, narcissist would continue to spout off and not - in the face of Americans’ pain and agony -be contrite and apologize for your part in this catastrophe. — Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY, "Debra Messing reignites feud with Susan Sarandon over Trump: 'Liking the revolution?'," 13 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'catastrophe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of catastrophe

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 4

History and Etymology for catastrophe

Greek katastrophē, from katastrephein to overturn, from kata- + strephein to turn

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More Definitions for catastrophe

catastrophe

noun
How to pronounce catastrophe (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of catastrophe

: a terrible disaster

See the full definition for catastrophe in the English Language Learners Dictionary

catastrophe

noun
ca·​tas·​tro·​phe | \ kÉ™-ˈta-strÉ™-fÄ“ How to pronounce catastrophe (audio) \

Kids Definition of catastrophe

1 : a sudden disaster The oil spill was an environmental catastrophe.
2 : complete failure : fiasco The party was a catastrophe.

catastrophe

noun
ca·​tas·​tro·​phe | \ kÉ™-ˈtas-trÉ™-fÄ“ How to pronounce catastrophe (audio) \

Medical Definition of catastrophe

: death (as from an inexplicable cause) before, during, or after an operation

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More from Merriam-Webster on catastrophe

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for catastrophe

Spanish Central: Translation of catastrophe

Nglish: Translation of catastrophe for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of catastrophe for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catastrophe

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