plural craters
1
a
: the bowl-shaped depression around the orifice of a volcano
b
: a depression formed by an impact (as of a meteorite)
c
: a hole in the ground made by the explosion of a bomb or shell
2
: an eroded lesion
3
: a dimple in a painted surface
4
Crater astronomy
: a constellation that is visible between the constellations of Corvus and Hydra and that is represented by the figure of a cup
Both the cup and the snake are here in the sky. If you have dark enough skies, you can spot the faint stars of Crater the cup and Hydra the snake to the right of Corvus.—
Kevin D. Conod
Kevin D. Conod
cra·ter
less common spelling of krater
: a jar or vase of classical antiquity having a large round body and a wide mouth and used for mixing wine and water
Examples of crater in a Sentence
Verb
The deal cratered when neither party could agree on the final price.
Stock prices cratered after the companies' merger.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
From the dramatic depths of Tycho and Copernicus craters to the smooth plains of Mare Tranquillitatis, each lunar landmark holds clues about the moon's violent past and geological evolution.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
More plausibly, a few years of 1970s-style inflation—in 1979 inflation reached more than 14 percent per year in the United States—would crater the value of long-term bonds but have less effect on short-term debt, which would have to be refinanced at higher interest rates.
—Kenneth S. Rogoff, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crater
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Noun
Researchers further explain that the discovery of microscopic deformation features in quartz provides conclusive proof that the Jinlin crater was formed by an asteroid impact.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
From the dramatic depths of Tycho and Copernicus craters to the smooth plains of Mare Tranquillitatis, each lunar landmark holds clues about the moon's violent past and geological evolution.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
Kennedy, meanwhile, is finding other ways to crater the availability of shots.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2025
More plausibly, a few years of 1970s-style inflation—in 1979 inflation reached more than 14 percent per year in the United States—would crater the value of long-term bonds but have less effect on short-term debt, which would have to be refinanced at higher interest rates.
—Kenneth S. Rogoff, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crater
Cite this Entry
“Crater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crater. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
crater
noun
cra·ter
ˈkrāt-ər 
: an eroded lesion of a wall or surface
ulcer craters
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