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catastrophe

noun
ca·​tas·​tro·​phe | \ kə-ˈta-strə-(ˌ)fē 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 \ ˌka-​tə-​ˈsträ-​fik How to pronounce catastrophic (audio) \ adjective
catastrophically \ ˌka-​tə-​ˈsträ-​fi-​k(ə-​)lē 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

 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 Still, the statement from Severodvinsk’s administration came just as the Defense Ministry insisted that no radiation had been released, a claim that drew comparisons to Soviet-era attempts to cover up catastrophes. — Washington Post, "5 Russian nuclear engineers buried after rocket explosion," 12 Aug. 2019 The New York Times spoke with more than three dozen people, including current and former One Concern employees, board members, clients and investors; as well as experts in machine learning, catastrophe modeling and seismology. — New York Times, "This High-Tech Solution to Disaster Response May Be Too Good to Be True," 9 Aug. 2019 Those issues started with a catastrophe last summer when left tackle Matt Kalil went out with a knee injury in preseason. — Brad Biggs, chicagotribune.com, "Under pressure to win, Ron Rivera shifts the Panthers to the 3-4 defense: ‘I’m going to copy a whole bunch of people. I like what Chicago did.’," 7 Aug. 2019 Scientists and policy experts agree that 2020 isn’t literally the last chance to save humanity, but four more years of Trump undoubtedly shrinks our chances to ensure a future safe from catastrophe. — Dave Levitan, The New Republic, "Would Trump’s Reelection Doom the Planet?," 26 July 2019 Alarm bells being rung by international health institutions, saying not enough is being done to prevent a regional catastrophe. — The Washington Post, cleveland.com, "A year on, Congo’s Ebola outbreak is only getting worse," 1 Aug. 2019 Shooting from the roof of a Volkswagen minibus driving through dangerous desert regions in Africa, Herzog and his crew escaped several near-catastrophes. — Peter Keough, BostonGlobe.com, "In Focus: Werner Herzog offers up a desert diptych," 1 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 | \ kə-ˈta-strə-fē 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 | \ kə-ˈtas-trə-fē 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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