di·sas·ter 
/dɪˈzæstɚ, Brit dɪˈzɑ:stə/ noun
plural di·sas·ters /dɪˈzæstɚ, Brit dɪˈzɑ:stə/ noun 1 [count] : something (such as a flood, tornado, fire, plane crash, etc.) that happens suddenly and causes much suffering or loss to many people
▪ The program examined several bridge failures and other engineering disasters. ▪ a nuclear disaster ▪ The earthquake was one of the worst natural disasters [=a disaster caused by natural forces] of this century. ▪ The state is asking for federal disaster relief. [=money to help rebuild an area after a disaster] 2 a : something that has a very bad effect or result [count] ▪ The new regulations could be a disaster for smaller businesses. ▪ Opponents say the government's policy is a disaster waiting to happen. [=something that will probably have a very bad or tragic result] [noncount] ▪ They're trying to find a way to avoid disaster. ▪ They narrowly escaped disaster. ▪ The new regulations could spell disaster [=result in serious problems] for smaller businesses. ▪ The government's policy is a recipe for disaster. = The government is flirting with disaster by pursuing this policy. ▪ When disaster strikes, [=when something very bad happens] we will be prepared.
b [count] : a complete or terrible failure
▪ economic/financial disasters ▪ The dinner party was a complete disaster.
▪ The program examined several bridge failures and other engineering disasters. ▪ a nuclear disaster ▪ The earthquake was one of the worst natural disasters [=a disaster caused by natural forces] of this century. ▪ The state is asking for federal disaster relief. [=money to help rebuild an area after a disaster]
b [count] : a complete or terrible failure
▪ economic/financial disasters ▪ The dinner party was a complete disaster.
