Shipwreck

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈʃɪpɹɛk/

Alternative forms

• shipwrack

Origin

From Middle English schip-wracke, from Old English scipwræc ("jetsam"), equivalent to ship + wrack. Cognate with Scots schip-wrak ("to shipwreck", verb.), Swedish skeppsvrak ("shipwreck").

Full definition of shipwreck

Noun

1. A ship that has sunk or run aground so that it is no longer seaworthy.
2. An event where a ship sinks or runs aground.
3. (figurative) destruction; ruin; irretrievable loss
• Bible, 1 Timothy 1. 19Holding faith and a good conscience, which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.
• J. MorleyIt was upon an Indian bill that the late ministry had made shipwreck.

Derived terms

• shipwrecky

Synonyms

• shipbreach

Verb

1. To wreck a boat through a collision or mishap.