crash

Definition

A sudden, intense, loud sound, as made for example by cymbals.

Etymology

From Middle English crasshen, crasschen, craschen (“to break into pieces”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from a variant of earlier *crasken, from crasen (“to break”) + -k (formative suffix); or from earlier *craskien, *craksien, a variant of craken (“to crack, break open”) (for form development compare break, brask, brash).

Example Sentences

• "The piece ended in a crescendo, building up to a crash of cymbals."
• "After the lightning came the crash of thunder."
• "She broke two bones in her body in a car crash."