shipwreck

[ship-rek]

noun

1. the destruction or loss of a ship, as by sinking.

2. the remains of a wrecked ship.

3. destruction or ruin.

   the shipwreck of one's hopes.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to suffer shipwreck.

2. to destroy; ruin.

verb (used without object)

1. to suffer shipwreck.

shipwreck

/ ˈʃɪpˌrɛk /

noun

1. the partial or total destruction of a ship at sea

2. a wrecked ship or part of such a ship

3. ruin or destruction

   the shipwreck of all my hopes

verb

1. to wreck or destroy (a ship)

2. to bring to ruin or destruction

Word History and Origins

Origin of shipwreck¹

before 1100; Middle English shipwrech remains of a shipwreck; ship ¹, wreck; replacing Old English scipwræc ( wrack )

Word History and Origins

Origin of shipwreck¹

Old English scipwræc, from _ship + wræc something driven by the sea; see _wrack ²

Example Sentences

One of the most famous polar shipwrecks has been filmed in detail on the sea floor for the first time.

From BBC

“It’s a song that I’ve always really loved, and the more I listened to it, I was like, there’s this woman who’s being shipwrecked and she’s being born again,” Edebiri says.

From Los Angeles Times

When the parties separate once more after their vessel is shipwrecked on a mysterious island, every moment Edwards spends away from Johansson and Bailey is time wasted.

From Salon

At the time, prosecutors in Sicily announced a criminal inquiry into potential manslaughter and negligent shipwreck, describing its outcome as "completely unpredictable".

From BBC

The state government then banned fishing within a 20-nautical mile radius of the shipwreck and announced compensation for families from fishing communities in four affected districts.

From BBC

Related Words

• capsize 
• decline 
• descend 
• dig 
• dip 
• disappear 
• drill 
• drive 
• drop 
• drown 
• fall 
• go down 
• lower 
• overturn 
• plummet 
• plunge 
• ram 
• sag 
• settle 
• slump