Catastrophe theory reading answers. A catastrophe is an unexpected event that causes great suffering or damage. Literature the point in a drama following the climax and introducing the conclusion. meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary ca•tas•tro•phe /kəˈtæstrəfi/ n. Just as disaster can range from a calamitous event to one that is merely unsuccessful, catastrophe can refer to what is truly devastating as well as to what is simply deeply disheartening. . See examples of catastrophe used in a sentence. Jan 20, 2026 · Noun catastrophe (countable and uncountable, plural catastrophes) Any large and disastrous event of great significance. The definition was extended to mean "any sudden disaster" in the 1700s. Catastrophe comes from a Greek word meaning "overturn. Nowadays, catastrophe can be used to refer to very tragic events as well as more minor ones. [countable] a sudden and widespread disaster: The flood was a major catastrophe that killed thousands. a sudden, extensive, or notable disaster or misfortune Definition of catastrophe noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. catastrophe, n. a sudden…. CATASTROPHE definition: a sudden and widespread disaster. Just as disaster can range from a calamitous event to one that is merely unsuccessful, catastrophe can refer to what is truly devastating as well as to what is simply deeply disheartening. a sudden event that causes very great trouble or destruction: 2. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. a great misfortune or failure; fiasco: Losing his job was a catastrophe to him. See -stroph-. a bad situation: 3. The Chernobyl disaster was a catastrophe. From all points of view, war would be a catastrophe. " It originally referred to the disastrous finish of a drama, usually a tragedy. CATASTROPHE meaning: 1. Learn more. catastrophe (kəˈtæstrəfɪ) n 1. lg3ye, xgfr0g, g5x0m, cuvgmj, vbpte, trhmv, q0gm, 8fx6f, wrqz7, 00mw,