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collision

n.
US //kəˈɫɪʒən// UK //kəlˈɪʒən// col·li·sion
  1. 1 a physical crash (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    an accident where two or more moving objects hit each other with force.

    an instance of two or more moving objects striking one another with significant force.

    Example

    The car was badly damaged in a collision with a delivery truck.

    Example

    The investigation concluded that the mid-air collision was caused by a failure in the ground-based radar system rather than pilot error.
  2. 2 a conflict of ideas (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a strong disagreement between different ideas, cultures, or interests.

    a metaphorical clash or conflict between opposing ideas, interests, or cultural values.

    Example

    The film explores the collision between traditional values and modern life.

    Example

    The summit was marked by a sharp collision of interests between the industrialised nations and the developing economies regarding carbon emissions.
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  1. 3 physics interaction (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    an event where two objects affect each other with force, even if they do not touch.

    any event in which two or more bodies exert forces on each other in a relatively short time, where physical contact is not strictly necessary.

    Example

    Scientists study the collision of particles to understand the laws of nature.

    Example

    In high-energy physics, the collision of subatomic particles allows researchers to observe the fundamental building blocks of matter.
  2. 4 computing error (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Computing

    an error that happens when two pieces of data try to use the same name or space.

    an event where two different inputs to a hash function produce the same output, or when two devices attempt to transmit data simultaneously on a shared network.

    Example

    The software crashed because of a naming collision in the database.

    Example

    The algorithm was designed to minimise the probability of a hash collision, ensuring that each unique record could be retrieved efficiently.
Origin

From Middle French collision, from Late Latin collīsiō, from Latin collīdere, past participle collīsus (“to dash together”); see collide. cf. allision.

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