Crater - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A crater is a bowl-shaped depression on the surface of a planet, moon, or other celestial body, typically caused by volcanic activity or the impact of a meteorite.
Definition:
A large bowl-shaped cavity caused by volcanic eruption or meteor impact.
Synonyms:
hollow, basin, depression, pit
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
mound, hill
Common Collocations:
lunar crater, volcanic crater, impact crater, crater rim, crater floor
Derivatives:
cratered, cratering
Usage Tips:
Use "crater" for natural depressions; avoid for man-made holes unless metaphorically describing size or shape.
Common Phrases:
bottom of the crater, crater face, like a crater
Etymology:
From Latin "crater," meaning mixing bowl or vessel; later adopted for geological formations.
Examples:
- 1. The moon's surface is covered with craters from meteor impacts.
- 2. We hiked to the edge of the volcanic crater and peered inside.
- 3. The explosion left a massive crater in the ground.
- 4. Scientists study craters to learn about Earth's geological history.