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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.

crater

/ˈkreɪtər/ /ˈkreɪtə/

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.

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