verb / noun
collapse
kuh-LAPS/kəˈlæps/
To fall down suddenly through loss of support or strength.
The wooden shed collapses as its broken supports buckle beneath the roof.
Etymology
The pieces evoke “falling together,” as a structure loses support and falls into a mass. That physical image extended to plans or institutions failing completely.
In context
what may have caused the building to collapse. As you watch the videotape, it appeared to buckle from the middle, from the point of impact and collapse
More examples
- Heavy snow caused the collapse of the garage roof.
- The exhausted runner collapsed just past the finish line.
- The bank's collapse left many businesses without funding.
Forms
collapse · collapses · collapsed · collapsing
collapsible adjective — Able to fold into a smaller shape.