Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Col·lapse

   /kəˈlaps/

   

   verb

   • 1. (of a structure) fall down or in; give way: "the roof collapsed on top of me" Similar cave infall insubsidefall downsagslumpsettlegivegive waycrumblecrumpledisintegratefall to piecescome apartOpposite hold up
   • ▪ cause (something) to fall in or give way: "it feels as if the slightest pressure would collapse it"
   • ▪ (of a lung or blood vessel) become flat and empty with the walls fallen inward: "she was so dehydrated that her veins had collapsed"
   • ▪ cause (a lung or blood vessel) to collapse: "he had an operation to collapse his lung"
   • 2. (of a person) fall down and become unconscious, typically through illness or injury: "he collapsed from loss of blood" Similar faintpass outblack outlose consciousnessfall unconsciouskeel overinformal:flake outconk outgo outliterary:swoon
   • ▪ sit or lie down as a result of tiredness or amusement: "exhausted, he collapsed on the bed"
   • 3. (of an institution or undertaking) fail suddenly and completely: "in the face of such resolve his opposition finally collapsed" Similar break downfailfall throughfoldfounderfall flatmiscarrygo wrongcome to nothingcome to griefbe frustratedbe unsuccessfulnot succeeddisintegratecome to a haltendterminateinformal:flopfizzle outflatlineOpposite succeed
   • ▪ (of a price or currency) drop suddenly in value: "the price of oil collapsed"
   • 4. fold or be folded to fit into a small space: "some cots collapse down to fit into a bag"
   • ▪ compress a displayed part of (a spreadsheet or other electronic document): "tabulation programs can be used to collapse this list in various ways"

   noun

   • 1. an instance of a structure falling down or in: "the collapse of a railroad bridge" Similar cave-ingiving waysubsidencecrumblingdisintegration
   • ▪ a sudden failure of an institution or undertaking: "the collapse of the Ottoman Empire" Similar breakdownfailuredisintegrationfounderingmiscarriagelack of successhaltendterminationOpposite outcomesuccess
   • ▪ a physical or mental breakdown: "he suffered a collapse from overwork" Similar breakdownattackseizureprostrationnervous breakdownnervous/mental collapsenervous exhaustionnervous tensioncrisispersonal crisispsychological traumainformal:crack-up

   Word Origin early 17th century (as collapsed): from medical Latin collapsus, past participle of collabi, from col- ‘together’ + labi ‘to slip’.

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • L

     1

   • L

     1

   • A

     1

   • P

     3

   • S

     1

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less

2. People also ask

   What does collapse mean?

   • Collapse means to break apart suddenly, as in The rickety bridge collapsed into the river. If something collapses, it falls apart or caves in quickly and suddenly. Usually, something collapses because it’s unable to support its own weight.

   COLLAPSE Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com/browse/collapse

   See all results for this question

   What does Collapsus mean?

   • Origin collapse1 (1700-1800) Latin collapsus, past participle of collabi, from com- ( → COM-) + labi “to fall, slide” collapse meaning, definition, what is collapse: if a building, wall etc collapses, it fa...: Learn more.

   collapse | meaning of collapse in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary

   www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/collapse

   See all results for this question

   Where did the word collapse come from?

   • The first records of collapse come from around 1725. It comes from the Latin collābī, meaning “to fall to ruins.” To collapse is to literally or figuratively fall, usually suddenly. With any building or man-made structure, a big concern is the structure collapsing. To prevent this, structures are reinforced to be as sturdy as possible.

   COLLAPSE Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com/browse/collapse

   See all results for this question

   What happens if a system collapses?

   • If something, for example a system or institution, collapses, it fails or comes to an end completely and suddenly. His business empire collapsed under a massive burden of debt. If you collapse, you suddenly faint or fall down because you are very ill or weak. He collapsed following a vigorous exercise session at his home.

   COLLAPSE definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/collapse

   See all results for this question

3. www.dictionary.com › browse › collapseCOLLAPSE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › collapse

   • Cached

   Collapse definition: to fall or cave in; crumble suddenly. See examples of COLLAPSE used in a sentence.

4. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitioncollapse verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

   • Cached

   [intransitive, transitive] collapse (something) to fold something into a shape that uses less space; to be able to be folded in this way synonym fold. The table collapses for easy storage. medical [intransitive, transitive] collapse (something) if a lung or blood vessel collapses or is collapsed, it falls in and becomes flat and empty Topics ...

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › collapsecollapse | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › collapse

   • Cached

   collapse meaning: 1. When someone collapses, they fall down, usually because they are sick or weak: 2. to fall down…. Learn more.

6. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › collapsecollapse | meaning of collapse in Longman Dictionary of ...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › collapse

   • Cached

   The roof had collapsed long ago. see thesaurus at fall 2 illness/injury [ intransitive] to suddenly fall down or become unconscious because you are ill or weak He collapsed with a heart attack while he was dancing. Marion’s legs collapsed under her. 3 fail [ intransitive] if a system, idea, or organization collapses, it suddenly fails or ...

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › collapseCOLLAPSE definition in American English | Collins English ...

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › collapse

   • Cached

   2 days ago · collapse in American English. (kəˈlæps) (verb -lapsed, -lapsing) intransitive verb. 1. to fall or cave in; crumble suddenly. The roof collapsed and buried the crowd. 2. to be made so that sections or parts can be folded up, as for convenient storage.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › collapse_2collapse noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › collapse_2

   • Cached

   the collapse of the Soviet Union; The peace talks were on the verge of collapse. a decision which will push the country a step closer to economic collapse ; the collapse of law and order in the area; They thought their strategy would cause the collapse of the regime. The articles they published led to the collapse of the trial.

9. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › collapsesCollapses Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › collapses

   • Cached

   The meaning of COLLAPSE is to fall or shrink together abruptly and completely : fall into a jumbled or flattened mass through the force of external pressure. How to use collapse in a sentence.