collide

verb

col·​lide kə-ˈlīd 

collided; colliding

intransitive verb

1

: to come together with solid or direct impact

The car collided with a tree.

Two helicopters collided.

2

: clash

colliding cultures

Science and religion collided in the court.

Synonyms

• clash
• conflict
• disaccord
• discord
• jar

Examples of collide in a Sentence

Two football players collided on the field.

the candidate had a reputation as a maverick whose positions often collided with the party platform

Recent Examples on the Web

This technical term saw a surge in searches after a ship collided with a stationary bridge in Baltimore. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

The lives of the two men, both standing at 6 feet and 1 inch tall, collided at around 2:25 p.m. on the afternoon of Monday, May 1, 2023. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 9 Dec. 2024

The truck, which was carrying only the driver, collided with a Hyundai Sonata headed north near Daniel Lake Boulevard. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024

Ultimately, Stockman's mandate to cut spending collided with two other Reagan articles of faith: tax cuts and a vigorous military build up to challenge what was then still the Soviet Union. —Ron Elving, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin collidere, from com- + laedere to injure by striking

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

collide

verb

col·​lide kə-ˈlīd 

collided; colliding

1

: to come together with solid impact

the football players collided

2

: clash entry 1 sense 2a

their different outlooks collided