the striking of one body against another
"The car sustained significant damage after a sudden impact from the falling tree branch."
influencing strongly
"they resented the impingement of American values on European culture"
The striking of one body against another; collision.
"The car suffered severe damage after a high-speed impact with the guardrail."
In plain English: Impact is the force of something hitting another thing hard.
"The new policy will have a significant impact on small businesses."
Usage: In everyday usage, impact refers to a significant effect or influence rather than a physical collision. Use this word when describing how an idea, event, or action changes a situation, not when describing two objects hitting each other.
press or wedge together; pack together
"The movers had to impact the boxes tightly into the narrow space of the delivery truck to fit everything inside."
To collide or strike, the act of impinging.
"The meteorite made a massive impact when it struck the ground."
In plain English: To impact something means to have a strong effect on it or to change how it works.
"The new policy will impact small businesses more than large corporations."
Usage: Use "impact" as a verb to describe two objects physically colliding or striking each other with force. Avoid using it metaphorically to mean "influence" or "affect," as this usage is often considered incorrect in formal writing.
The word impact entered English in the 17th century from the Latin impāctus. It originally referred to a blow or stroke but has come to mean any forceful effect or influence.