crater

1 of 3

noun (1)

cra·ter ˈkrā-tər

plural craters

Synonyms of crater next

: the bowl-shaped depression around the orifice of a volcano

: a depression formed by an impact (as of a meteorite)

: a hole in the ground made by the explosion of a bomb or shell

: an eroded lesion

: a dimple in a painted surface

Crater astronomy : a constellation that is visible between the constellations of Corvus and Hydra and that is represented by the figure of a cup

Both the cup and the snake are here in the sky. If you have dark enough skies, you can spot the faint stars of Crater the cup and Hydra the snake to the right of Corvus.—

Kevin D. Conod

craterlike

ˈkrā-tər-ˌlīk

adjective

crater

2 of 3

verb

cratered; cratering; craters

intransitive verb

: to exhibit or form craters

: to fail or fall suddenly and dramatically : collapse, crash

the deal cratered

cratering stock prices

transitive verb

: to form craters in

crater

3 of 3

noun (2)

cra·ter

less common spelling of krater

: a jar or vase of classical antiquity having a large round body and a wide mouth and used for mixing wine and water

Examples of crater in a Sentence

Verb The deal cratered when neither party could agree on the final price. Stock prices cratered after the companies' merger.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

At the lunar poles, where deep craters are shaded, temperatures reach as low as minus 320 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. —

Alexis Guerrero, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2024 Eventually, the ground will subside, leaving behind a crater about 1,000 feet deep and nearly 2 miles across. —

The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crater

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crater.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

borrowed from Latin crātēr, crātēra "mixing bowl, basin of a fountain, bowl-shaped depression around the mouth of a volcano," borrowed from Greek krātḗr "mixing bowl, bowl-shaped depression around the mouth of a volcano," from krā-, variant stem of keránnȳmi, kerannýnai "to mix, mingle (as wine with water)" (going back to Indo-European *ḱerh₂-, *ḱr̥h₂- "mix," whence also Sanskrit ā́-śīrta- "mixed," Avestan sārəṇtē "[they] meet, unite") + -tēr, instrumental suffix

Verb

derivative of crater entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1884, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of crater was in 1613

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Crater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crater. Accessed 6 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

crater

noun

cra·ter

ˈkrāt-ər

: a hollow shaped like a bowl around the opening of a volcano

: a hole made by an impact (as of a meteorite) or by the explosion of a bomb or shell

Medical Definition

crater

noun

cra·ter ˈkrāt-ər

: an eroded lesion of a wall or surface

ulcer craters

Last Updated: 25 Apr 2024 - Updated example sentences

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crater

noun (1)

verb

noun (2)

Synonyms

Examples of crater in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near crater

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition