shock
1a sudden and violent blow or impact; collision.
a sudden or violent disturbance or commotion: the shock of battle.
a sudden or violent disturbance of the mind, emotions, or sensibilities: The burglary was a shock to her sense of security. The book provided a shock, nothing more.
the cause of such a disturbance: The rebuke came as a shock.
Pathology. a collapse of circulatory function, caused by severe injury, blood loss, or disease, and characterized by pallor, sweating, weak pulse, and very low blood pressure.: Compare anaphylactic shock, cardiogenic shock, hypovolemic shock.
the physiological effect produced by the passage of an electric current through the body.
shocks, Informal. shock absorbers, especially in the suspension of an automobile.
to strike or jar with intense surprise, horror, disgust, etc.: He enjoyed shocking people.
to strike against violently.
to give an electric shock to.
to undergo a shock.
Origin of shock
1synonym study For shock
Other words for shock
Other words from shock
- shock·a·ble, adjective
- shock·a·bil·i·ty, noun
- shock·ed·ness, noun
- shocklike, adjective
- un·shock·a·bil·i·ty, noun
- un·shock·a·ble, adjective
Other definitions for shock (2 of 3)
a group of sheaves of grain placed on end and supporting one another in the field.
to make into shocks.
Origin of shock
2Other words from shock
- shocker, noun
Other definitions for shock (3 of 3)
a thick, bushy mass, as of hair.
Also shock dog . a dog with long, shaggy hair.
shaggy, as hair.
Origin of shock
3Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use shock in a sentence
Bullhooks, whippings, and electric shocks were used as the main methods of discipline and training for their exotic animals.
People have caused electrical shocks affecting the whole facility by putting objects into outlets.
The sequence continued: shocks, chest compressions, and drugs.
Real Life Lazarus: When Patients Rise From the Dead | Sandeep Jauhar | August 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe resulting economic shocks, he said, would be “devastating.”
ISIS ‘Worse Than Al Qaeda,‘ Says Top State Department Official | Tim Mak | July 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe early months of 2014 were thankfully devoid of the sort of major shocks that have derailed economic growth in the past.
The U.S. Economy Had a Hiccup, Not a Heart Attack, This Year | Daniel Gross | May 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
She was growing accustomed to like shocks, but she could not keep the mounting color back from her cheeks.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate ChopinI could not make out what it was, for the wind-was rustling the corn-shocks, but I arose and feigned to listen.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson LloydReally, I seem to be living in an atmosphere of them to-night, and I am getting too old for these shocks.
The Weight of the Crown | Fred M. WhiteTrue love resists these shocks and comes out triumphant, but the other kind succumbs.
Friend Mac Donald | Max O'RellIn the same way, there is a rule that our earthquake shocks are never mentioned, unless they destroy whole towns.
The Profits of Religion | Upton Sinclair
British Dictionary definitions for shock (1 of 3)
/ (ʃɒk) /
to experience or cause to experience extreme horror, disgust, surprise, etc: the atrocities shocked us; she shocks easily
to cause a state of shock in (a person)
to come or cause to come into violent contact; jar
a sudden and violent jarring blow or impact
something that causes a sudden and violent disturbance in the emotions: the shock of her father's death made her ill
pathol a state of bodily collapse or near collapse caused by circulatory failure or sudden lowering of the blood pressure, as from severe bleeding, burns, fright, etc
pathol pain and muscular spasm as the physical reaction to an electric current passing through the body
Origin of shock
1Derived forms of shock
- shockable, adjective
- shockability, noun
British Dictionary definitions for shock (2 of 3)
/ (ʃɒk) /
a number of sheaves set on end in a field to dry
a pile or stack of unthreshed corn
(tr) to set up (sheaves) in shocks
Origin of shock
2British Dictionary definitions for shock (3 of 3)
/ (ʃɒk) /
a thick bushy mass, esp of hair
rare bushy; shaggy
Origin of shock
3Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for shock
[ shŏk ]
An instance of the passage of an electric current through the body. The amount of injury caused by electric shock depends on the type and strength of the current, the length of time the current is applied, and the route the current takes once it enters the body.
A life-threatening condition marked by a severe drop in blood pressure, resulting from serious injury or illness.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with shock
see culture shock.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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