crater

plural craters

1. astronomyA hemispherical pit created by the impact of a meteorite or other object.First known use 1831

   Synonyms: astrobleme

2. geographyThe basin-like opening or mouth of a volcano, through which the chief eruption comes; similarly, the mouth of a geyser, about which a cone of silica is often built up.First known use 1610s
3. The pit left by the explosion of a mine or bomb.First known use 1839

   1 more example

   But signalman Bridges was never to answer driver Gimbert's desperate question. A deafening, massive blast blew the wagon to shreds, the 44 high-explosive bombs exploding like simultaneous hits from the aircraft they should have been dropped from. The station was instantly reduced to bits of debris, and the line to a huge crater.

   2022 January 12, Benedict le Vay, “The heroes of Soham...”, in RAIL, number 948, page 43

4. broadlyinformalAny large, roughly circular depression or hole.
5. alternativehistoricalAlternative spelling of krater (“vessel for mixing water and wine”).

   In it large craters lie, And two-eared pitchers, all of stone, and there Bees build their combs.

   1828, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, volume II, London: William Harrison Ainsworth, page 226

   1 more example

   The people of those parts lived in underground houses - more of dug-outs - along with their goats and sheep and they had great craters full of wine, barley-wine, that they drank through reeds.

   1941, Louis MacNeice, The March of the 10,000

present singular third person craters · participle present cratering · participle past cratered · past cratered

1. To form craters in a surface.
2. figurativelyTo collapse catastrophically; to become devastated or completely destroyed.

   But analysts don’t see Mr. Trump’s support cratering over Venezuela anytime soon.

   2026 January 6, Linda Feldmann, Victoria Hoffmann, “Trump’s foray into Venezuela carries political risk at home”, in The Christian Science Monitor

   3 more examples

   Yup, John McCain said to me the economy “is about to crater.” You folks worried about the economy? Whoo! Not me.

   2008 November 25, David Letterman, quoting John McCain, “‘The Economy Is Exploding’”, in NYTimes blog

   Uber said on Thursday that its ride-hailing business had cratered in the second quarter as people traveled less in the pandemic.

   2020 August 6, Kate Conger, “Uber’s Revenue Craters, as Deliveries Surge in Pandemic”, in New York Times

   The potential agreement comes after months of disputes that have created existential challenges for Twitter, cratering its share price, demoralizing its employees and spooking the advertisers it relies on for revenue.

   2022 October 4, Kate Conger, Lauren Hirsch, “Elon Musk Suggests Buying Twitter at His Original Price”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

   Synonyms: implode, hollow out, tank

3. hobbiesTo crash or fall.

   He cratered into that snow bank about five seconds after his first lesson.

4. video gamesTo die from fall damage.

plural craters

1. A worker who packs things in crates.

   He was hired in January 1987 as a crater and packer at the Renfrew plant and is still employed.

   1993, Decisions and Orders of the National Labor Relations Board, page 395

plural craters

1. IrelandScotlandalternativeAlternative form of creature.

   She is a charming crater; I would venture to say that, if I was not her father.

   1772, David Garrick, “The Irish Widow”, in The British Drama: A Collection of the Most Esteemed Tragedies, Comedies ..., published 1859, page 611

   2 more examples

   I then had the two best tarriers beneath the canopy; this poor crater is their daughter," and he patted the dog's head affectionately.

   1843, William Hamilton Maxwell, Wild Sports of the West: With Legendary Tales, and Local Sketches, R. Bentley, page 77

   ‘Then why not stop for fellow-craters—going to thy own father’s house too, as we be, and knowen us so well?’

   1872, [Thomas Hardy], “I. Mellstock-Lane”, in Under the Greenwood Tree: A Rural Painting of the Dutch School, volume I, London: Tinsley Brothers, →OCLC, part I, page 6

1. astronomyA dim spring constellation of the northern sky, said to resemble a cup. It lies between the constellations Virgo and Hydra.