Meaning & Definition of Collapse in English
English⟶
Collapse
/kəlæps/
noun
1. An abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion
- "The commander's prostration demoralized his men"
synonym:
- collapse,
- prostration
2. A natural event caused by something suddenly falling down or caving in
- "The roof is in danger of collapse"
- "The collapse of the old star under its own gravity"
synonym:
- collapse
3. The act of throwing yourself down
- "He landed on the bed with a great flop"
synonym:
- flop,
- collapse
4. A sudden large decline of business or the prices of stocks (especially one that causes additional failures)
synonym:
- crash,
- collapse
verb
1. Break down, literally or metaphorically
- "The wall collapsed"
- "The business collapsed"
- "The dam broke"
- "The roof collapsed"
- "The wall gave in"
- "The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice"
synonym:
- collapse,
- fall in,
- cave in,
- give,
- give way,
- break,
- founder
2. Collapse due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack
synonym:
- break down,
- collapse
3. Fold or close up
- "Fold up your umbrella"
- "Collapse the music stand"
synonym:
- collapse
4. Fall apart
- "The building crumbled after the explosion"
- "Negotiations broke down"
synonym:
- crumble,
- crumple,
- tumble,
- break down,
- collapse
5. Cause to burst
- "The ice broke the pipe"
synonym:
- collapse,
- burst
6. Suffer a nervous breakdown
synonym:
- crack up,
- crack,
- crock up,
- break up,
- collapse
7. Lose significance, effectiveness, or value
- "The school system is collapsing"
- "The stock market collapsed"
synonym:
- collapse
Examples of using
We can't stay here. The roof is about to collapse!
This building is about to collapse.
The country's economy is about to collapse.