the striking of one thing against another; forceful contact; collision: The impact of the colliding cars broke the windshield.
an impinging: the impact of light on the eye.
influence; effect: the impact of Einstein on modern physics.
an impacting; forcible impinging: the tremendous impact of the shot.
the force exerted by a new idea, concept, technology, or ideology: the impact of the industrial revolution.
verb (used with object)
to drive or press closely or firmly into something; pack in.
to fill up; congest; throng: A vast crowd impacted St. Peter's Square.
to collide with; strike forcefully: a rocket designed to impact the planet Mars.
to have an impact or effect on; influence; alter: The decision may impact your whole career. The auto industry will be impacted by the new labor agreements.
verb (used without object)
to have impact or make contact forcefully: The ball impacted against the bat with a loud noise.
to have an impact or effect: Increased demand will impact on sales.
Origin of impact
First recorded in 1775–85; (noun and v.) back formation from impacted
usage note for impact
The verb impact has developed the transitive sense “to have an impact or effect on” ( The structured reading program has done more to impact the elementary schools than any other single factor ) and the intransitive sense “to have an impact or effect” ( The work done at the computer center will impact on the economy of Illinois and the nation ). Although recent, the new uses are entirely standard and most likely to occur in formal speech and writing. See also impactful.
We look for mission-driven founders who believe their companies can make a real and positive impact on the lives of people and patients the world over.
Does early-stage health tech need more ‘patient’ capital?|Steve O'Hear|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
It’s important to recognize the truth of our impacts, to take stock of the enormous destruction we have reaped on this planet’s biodiversity and climate.
Dawn of the Heliocene - Issue 90: Something Green|Summer Praetorius|September 16, 2020|Nautilus
Committed investors, engaged philanthropy, and smart state and local policy can create access to capital for marginalized communities that fosters genuine impact and fights poverty.
Opportunity Zones haven’t fully reached their potential, but don’t write them off yet|jakemeth|September 16, 2020|Fortune
So it starts as a grant, but then it’s mixed with a convertible note that converts based on how much impact they’re creating, measured on metrics that we advise.
Bernard Tyson’s profound impact continues even after his death—through a new social investment fund|cleaf2013|September 16, 2020|Fortune
Faulconer and Housing Commission officials see the proposed purchases as a chance to make a major impact on the city’s homelessness crisis.
Morning Report: The Dreaded Purple Tier|Voice of San Diego|September 16, 2020|Voice of San Diego
The EPA felt that the State Department had not looked carefully enough at the impact of the pipeline if oil prices fell.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: Jan. 4|PunditFact.com|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Residents of the neighborhoods where cops are needed the most are mixed on the impact of the apparent slowdown.
Ground Zero of the NYPD Slowdown|Batya Ungar-Sargon|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Strong currents and winds, however, mean any debris could be drifting up to 31 miles a day eastward, away from the impact zone.
Wreckage, Bodies of AirAsia Crash Found|Lennox Samuels|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And the hope is that if you can change their individual lives, it will have an impact on their families.
Dr. Howard Fuller's Injustice Education|Campbell Brown|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The change is also likely to impact the potential paydays of Cuban players coming to the United States.
Is Major League Baseball Ready For Cuba’s Players?|Ben Jacobs|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Solness is smashed by his impact with Hilda, as china is against a stone.
Henrik Ibsen|Edmund Gosse
They went against the side of the house shaking it with the force of their impact.
A Man for the Ages|Irving Bacheller
He had noted his boat tremble at the impact and crowd away from the stranger; had felt the straining of her timbers.
El Diablo|Brayton Norton
The human nervous system can only endure a certain amount of impact.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, May, 1930|Various
From here they felt the impact of the chattering water rising to them and falling again like a comment on their talk.
The Cathedral|Sir Hugh Walpole
British Dictionary definitions for impact
impact
noun (ˈɪmpækt)
the act of one body, object, etc, striking another; collision
the force with which one thing hits another or with which two objects collide
the impression made by an idea, cultural movement, social group, etcthe impact of the Renaissance on Medieval Europe
verb (ɪmˈpækt)
to drive or press (an object) firmly into (another object, thing, etc) or (of two objects) to be driven or pressed firmly together
to have an impact or strong effect (on)
Derived forms of impact
impaction, noun
Word Origin for impact
C18: from Latin impactus pushed against, fastened on, from impingere to thrust at, from pangere to drive in