a sudden event that causes very great trouble or destruction
Losing his job was a great catastrophe to him.
Oxford Essential Dictionary
catastrophe
noun
a sudden disaster that causes great suffering or damage:
major catastrophes such as floods and earthquakes
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
catastrophe
ca‧tas‧tro‧phe /kəˈtæstrəfi/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Greek; Origin: katastrephein 'to turn upside down', from kata- ( ⇨ ↑cataclysm) + strephein 'to turn']
1. [uncountable and countable] a terrible event in which there is a lot of destruction, suffering, or death SYN disaster
environmental/nuclear/economic etc catastrophe
The Black Sea is facing ecological catastrophe as a result of pollution.
prevent/avert a catastrophe
Sudan requires food immediately to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.
2. [countable] an event which is very bad for the people involved SYN disaster
catastrophe for
If the contract is cancelled, it’ll be a catastrophe for everyone concerned.
—catastrophic /ˌkætəˈstrɒfɪk◂ $ -ˈstrɑː-/ adjective:
a catastrophic fall in the price of rice
The failure of the talks could have catastrophic consequences.
—catastrophically /-kli/ adverb
THESAURUS
▪ disaster a sudden event such as an accident, or a natural event such as a flood or storm, which causes great damage or suffering: 200 people died in the train disaster. | The earthquake was the worst natural disaster to hit India for over 50 years.
▪ catastrophe a terrible event in which there is a lot of destruction, damage, suffering, or death over a wide area of the world: A large comet hitting the earth would be a catastrophe. | We don’t want another nuclear catastrophe like Chernobyl. | Scientists say that the oil spill is an ecological catastrophe.
▪ tragedy a very sad event, that shocks people because it involves death: It was a tragedy that he died so young. | the AIDS tragedy in Africa
▪ debacle an event or situation that is a complete failure and is very embarrassing: The opening ceremony turned into a debacle. | The team is hoping to do better this game, after last week’s debacle against the Chicago Bears.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
catastrophe
ca·tas·trophe [catastrophe catastrophes] [kəˈtæstrəfi] [kəˈtæstrəfi] noun
1. a sudden event that causes many people to suffer
Syn: disaster
• Early warnings of rising water levels prevented another major catastrophe.
2. an event that causes one person or a group of people personal suffering, or that makes difficulties
• The attempt to expand the business was a catastrophe for the firm.
• We've had a few catastrophes with the food for the party.
Derived Words: catastrophic ▪ catastrophically
Word Origin:
mid 16th cent. (in the sense ‘denouement’): from Latin catastropha, from Greek katastrophē ‘overturning, sudden turn’, from kata- ‘down’ + strophē ‘turning’ (from strephein ‘to turn’).
Example Bank:
• The country is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.
• These policies could lead the country to environmental catastrophe.
• We had a few catastrophes with the food for the party.
• moves to avert a national catastrophe
• It wouldn't be a catastrophe if he didn't turn up.
• The verdict of this hearing is a personal and professional catastrophe for her.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
catastrophe / kəˈtæs.trə.fi / noun [ C ]
C2 a sudden event that causes very great trouble or destruction:
They were warned of the ecological catastrophe to come.
a bad situation:
The emigration of scientists is a catastrophe for the country.
catastrophic / ˌkæt.əˈstrɒf.ɪk / / ˌkæt̬.əˈstrɑː.fɪk / adjective
An unchecked increase in the use of fossil fuels could have catastrophic results for the planet.
© Cambridge University Press 2013
Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
catastrophe
[kətæ̱strəfi]
catastrophes
N-COUNT
A catastrophe is an unexpected event that causes great suffering or damage.
From all points of view, war would be a catastrophe...
If the world is to avoid environmental catastrophe, advanced economies must undergo a profound transition.
Syn:
disaster
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
catastrophe
ca·tas·tro·phe /kəˈtæstrəfi/ noun, pl -phes : a terrible disaster
[count]
• The oil spill was an environmental catastrophe.
• Experts fear a humanitarian catastrophe if food isn't delivered to the refugees soon.
• a global/nuclear/economic catastrophe
[noncount]
• an area on the brink of catastrophe
- cat·a·stroph·ic /ˌkætəˈstrɑːfɪk/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• The effect of the war on the economy was catastrophic.
• a catastrophic drought
- cat·a·stroph·i·cal·ly /ˌkætəˈstrɑːfɪkli/ adv
• The dam failed catastrophically, flooding the entire valley.