Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

collapse

2 noun
     
collapse2
1

business/system/idea etc

[singular, uncountable] a sudden failure in the way something works, so that it cannot continue
collapse of
the collapse of the Soviet Union
the threat of economic collapse
His business was in danger of collapse.
2

building/structure/furniture etc

[uncountable] when something suddenly falls down:
the collapse of an apartment building during the earthquake
The ancient abbey was in imminent danger of collapse.
3

illness/injury

[singular, uncountable] when someone suddenly falls down or becomes unconscious because of an illness or injury:
The president said he was fine after his collapse yesterday.
She suffered a collapse under anaesthetic.
4

money/prices etc

[singular] a sudden decrease in the value of something:
the collapse of the stock market
collapse in
a collapse in the value of pensions
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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