Shipwreck
/ˈʃɪp.rek/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe destruction of a ship, often involving loss of life or cargo.
/ˈʃɪp.rek/
The destruction of a ship at sea
The Titanic disaster was a famous shipwreck.
💡 Simply: Imagine a big boat that crashes and breaks apart in the ocean. That's a shipwreck! It's like a car accident, but for boats.
👶 For kids: When a boat gets broken in the ocean, it's a shipwreck!
More Examples
Divers are exploring the site of an ancient shipwreck.
The storm caused the shipwreck of several fishing boats.
How It's Used
"The *shipwreck* occurred during a violent storm."
"The novel's plot centers around a dramatic *shipwreck*."
To cause a ship to be destroyed; or figuratively, to ruin or destroy something.
/ˈʃɪp.rek/
To cause the destruction of a ship
The crew worked tirelessly to avoid shipwrecking their vessel on the reefs.
💡 Simply: If something 'shipwrecks' something else, it means it causes a big, sad crash, like a boat getting wrecked in the ocean.
👶 For kids: To make a boat crash!
More Examples
The scandal shipwrecked his reputation.
The bad decisions shipwrecked the company's future.
How It's Used
"The storm *shipwrecked* the vessel."
"The scandal *shipwrecked* his political career."
Idioms & expressions
a shipwreck of something
A complete failure or disaster.
"The meeting was a shipwreck of ideas; no progress was made."
From Middle English *shipwreck*, from Old English *scipwræc* (shipwreck, disaster), from *scip* (ship) + *wræc* (wreck, destruction).
The word shipwreck has been used since the Middle Ages and has always referred to the destruction of a ship or a figurative ruin.
Memory tip
Think of a ship broken into pieces after hitting rocks at sea.
Word Origin
"shipwreck, disaster"