impact

Universal Words noun, verb noun [C,usually sing,U] 1 ~ (of sth) (on sb/sth) the powerful effect that sth has on sb/sth: the environmental impact of tourism * The report assesses the impact of Aids on the gay community. * Her speech made a profound impact on everyone. * Businesses are beginning to feel the full impact of the recession. * social support to cushion the impact of unemployment 2 the act of one object hitting another; the force with which this happens: craters made by meteorite impacts * The impact of the blow knocked Jack off balance. * The bomb explodes on impact (= when it hits something). * The car is fitted with side impact bars (= to protect it from a blow from the side). verb 1 ~ (on / upon) sth to have an effect on sth SYNAFFECT: [V] Her father's death impacted greatly on her childhood years. * [VN] (business) The company's performance was impacted by the high value of the pound. 2 [V, VN] ~ (on / upon / with) sth (formal) to hit sth with great force