26984 words

collapsing

5 definitions • 9 examples
1
present participle of
2
to fall down suddenly because of pressure or having no strength or support:

Examples:

collapse under someone's/something's weight The chair collapsed under her weight.
figurative He thought his whole world had collapsed when his wife died.
3
If someone collapses, they fall down because of being sick or weak:

Examples:

He collapsed and died of a heart attack.
She felt her legs give way and she collapsed to the floor.
4
to fold something into a smaller shape, usually so it can be stored, or (especially of furniture) to fold in this way:

Examples:

All chairs collapse for easy storage.
5
(of people and business) to suddenly be unable to continue or work correctly:

Examples:

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