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Added 2 October 2026

impact

/ˈɪmpækt/ noun

In Latin: impulsus, conflictus Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about impact at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The striking of one body against another; collision.
The force or energy of a collision of two objects.
The hatchet cut the wood on impact.
A forced impinging.
His spine had an impingement; L4 and L5 made impact, which caused numbness in his leg.

verb

To collide or strike, the act of impinging.
When the hammer impacts the nail, it bends.
To compress; to compact; to press into something or pack together.
The footprints of birds do not impact the soil in the way those of dinosaurs do.
To significantly or strongly influence or affect; to have an impact on.
I can make the changes, but it will impact the schedule.

Origin

Attested since the 17th century, from Latin impāctus.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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