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Crater Definition, Usage & Common Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：volcanic bowl (crater)
crater
/ˈkreɪ.tər/
n.
The large, bowl-shaped hole at the top of a volcano where lava comes out.
volcanic bowl
➕
/fəˈkæn.ɪk boʊl/
n.
A large, bowl-shaped depression at the top of a volcano, typically formed by volcanic activity.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'crater' (bowl, mixing vessel), from Greek 'krātēr'.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a crater filled with cream (crater sounds like 'creater' of a creamy dessert bowl).
📖 Example
From the helicopter, we could clearly see the massive crater at the summit of the volcano, still steaming slightly.
From the helicopter, we could clearly see the massive volcanic bowl at the summit of the volcano, still steaming slightly.
🔗 Collocations
crater rim – the edge or top boundary of a crater
volcanic crater – a crater specifically on a volcano
crater lake – a lake that has formed inside a volcanic crater
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
📖 Cultural Story
The word entered English via Latin, originally from the Greek 'krātēr', a large bowl used for mixing wine and water. Its meaning expanded to describe bowl-shaped features in nature, becoming central to astronomy (lunar craters) and geology (volcanic craters).
Meaning 2：meteorite hole (crater)
crater
/ˈkreɪ.tər/
n.
A round hole on the surface of a moon or planet, made by something like a meteorite hitting it very fast.
meteorite hole
➕
/ˈmiː.ti.ə.raɪt hoʊl/
n.
A roughly circular depression on the surface of a planet, moon, or other solid body in space, caused by the impact of a smaller object.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The Moon's surface is covered with countless craters because it has no atmosphere to protect it from falling space rocks.
The Moon's surface is covered with countless meteorite holes because it has no atmosphere to protect it from falling space rocks.
🔗 Collocations
impact crater – a crater formed by the high-speed collision of a celestial object
lunar crater – a crater specifically on the surface of the Moon
crater floor – the flat or relatively level bottom surface inside a crater
🔄 Synonyms
impact basin (n.) – a very large impact crater, often with concentric rings
Meaning 3：large pit (crater)
crater
/ˈkreɪ.tər/
n.
Any large, round hole in the ground, like one made by a bomb explosion or by something very heavy falling.
large pit
➕
/lɑːrdʒ pɪt/
n.
Any large, hollow area in the ground resembling a crater, often resulting from an explosion, collapse, or significant excavation.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
After the old factory was demolished, all that remained was a giant crater in the earth where the foundation had been.
After the old factory was demolished, all that remained was a giant large pit in the earth where the foundation had been.
🔗 Collocations
bomb crater – a hole in the ground caused by the explosion of a bomb
giant crater – an exceptionally large crater or pit
🔄 Synonyms
pit (n.) – a large hole in the ground
cavity (n.) – a hollow space or hole within a solid object
depression (n.) – a sunken or hollow area on a surface
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