catastrophe meaning and definition

CATASTROPHE noun

Definition of catastrophe (noun)

1. an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
   • "the whole city was affected by the irremediable calamity"; "the earthquake was a disaster"
   • synonyms: calamity, cataclysm, disaster, tragedy
2. a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
   • "lack of funds has resulted in a catastrophe for our school system"; "his policies were a disaster"
   • synonyms: disaster
3. a sudden violent change in the earth's surface
   • synonyms: cataclysm