collide

verb

col·​lide kə-ˈlīd How to pronounce collide (audio)
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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As Mahomes slid to the ground in an effort to avoid the oncoming pressure, the two defenders collided with each other while Mahomes was already on the ground. David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025 Coast Guard officials were able to gain control of the panga and turn the engine off, but not before the two boats collided, causing damage to the Coast Guard’s vessel, officials said. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025 The Hyundai collided with a motorcyclist traveling westbound on a Honda motorcycle, according to the statement. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2025 April 29, 2014 Timothy Dutton, a 27-year-old professional skier and veteran skydiver, collided with another jumper, according to a Bee article at the time and an FAA incident report. Stephen Hobbs, Sacramento Bee, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for collide 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of collide was in 1700

Dictionary Entries Near collide

Cite this Entry

“Collide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collide. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

collide

verb
col·​lide kə-ˈlīd How to pronounce collide (audio)
collided; colliding
1
: to come together with solid impact
the football players collided
2
: clash entry 1 sense 2a
their different outlooks collided

More from Merriam-Webster on collide

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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