IMPACT Definition & Meaning

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impact

[ noun im-pakt; verb im-pakt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the striking of one thing against another; forceful contact; collision:
The impact of the colliding cars broke the windshield.
an impinging:
the impact of light on the eye.
influence; effect:
the impact of Einstein on modern physics.
an impacting; forcible impinging:
the tremendous impact of the shot.
the force exerted by a new idea, concept, technology, or ideology:
the impact of the industrial revolution.

verb (used with object)

to drive or press closely or firmly into something; pack in.
to fill up; congest; throng:
A vast crowd impacted St. Peter's Square.
to collide with; strike forcefully:
a rocket designed to impact the planet Mars.
to have an impact or effect on; influence; alter:
The decision may impact your whole career. The auto industry will be impacted by the new labor agreements.

verb (used without object)

to have impact or make contact forcefully:
The ball impacted against the bat with a loud noise.
to have an impact or effect:
Increased demand will impact on sales.

impact

noun

the act of one body, object, etc, striking another; collision
the force with which one thing hits another or with which two objects collide
the impression made by an idea, cultural movement, social group, etc
the impact of the Renaissance on Medieval Europe

verb

to drive or press (an object) firmly into (another object, thing, etc) or (of two objects) to be driven or pressed firmly together
to have an impact or strong effect (on)

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Usage Note

The verb impact has developed the transitive sense “to have an impact or effect on” ( The structured reading program has done more to impact the elementary schools than any other single factor ) and the intransitive sense “to have an impact or effect” ( The work done at the computer center will impact on the economy of Illinois and the nation ). Although recent, the new uses are entirely standard and most likely to occur in formal speech and writing. impactful.

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Derived Forms

��ˈ�貹��پ��ǲ�, noun

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

�Դǲ�·��p�� noun adjective
��ǲ��·��p�� adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of impact¹

First recorded in 1775–85; (noun and v.) back formation from impacted

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of impact¹

C18: from Latin impactus pushed against, fastened on, from impingere to thrust at, from pangere to drive in

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“Library funding draws less than 0.003% of the annual federal budget yet has enormous impact in communities nationwide,” the association said in a statement.

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But Japanese video gaming company Nintendo announced on Friday that it is delaying pre-orders of its Switch 2 console, saying it needs to "assess the potential impact of tariffs."

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Teslyn Barkman, who oversees trade in the parliament, said the taxes would impact the economy, which is heavily dependent on the sale of fish to the EU and the US.

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“When you do make contact in the sweet spot, you want the best results. And when you’re hitting two circular things together at 100 mph, you want to make sure that impact zone is greater.”

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"Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the US will not start April 9 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions," it said in a statement.

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