Collapse Meaning
/kəˈlæps/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo break apart and fall down suddenly; to cave in.
verbTo cease to function due to a sudden breakdown; to fail suddenly and completely.
Sentence Examples
If you don't take a vacation, you'll collapse.
The engineers blew up the bridge because it was about to collapse.
The collapse of the Soviet Union
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The old building began to ____ after the earthquake shook the foundation.
Word Origin & History
From Latin collāpsus (past participle of collābor).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"A balloon collapses when the gas escapes from it."
— 1843, Samuel Maunder, The Scientific and Literary Treasury:
"However much we like to think of ourselves as something special in world history, in fact industrial societies are subject to the same principles that caused earlier societies to collapse."
— 1988, Joseph Tainter, “Summary and Implications”, in The Collapse of Complex Societies, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 216:
"Thomas added: "We presented our experiences of frantically trying to collapse a pram, surrounded by loads of grumpy commuters."
— 2023 August 9, Paul Clifton, “Network News: Family-friendly travel: new standard covers pushchairs”, in RAIL, number 989, page 26:
"The top six are assured of continental competition and after making a statement of intent against Stoke, it would take a dramatic collapse for Newcastle to surrender their place."
— 2012 April 21, Jonathan Jurejko, “Newcastle 3-0 Stoke”, in BBC Sport:
"However the collapse in demand for rail and air travel caused by the pandemic has had a knock-on effect for the project's funding."
— 2021 May 5, Paul Clifton, “Network News: Heathrow Western Rail Access scheme 'on hold'”, in RAIL, number 930, page 26:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The old building began to ____ after the earthquake shook the foundation.