the cup-shaped depression or cavity on the surface of the earth or other heavenly body marking the orifice of a volcano.

Also called impact crater , meteorite crater. (on the surface of the earth, moon, etc.) a bowl-shaped depression with a raised rim, formed by the impact of a meteoroid. Compare astrobleme .

Astronomy . (on the surface of the moon) a circular or almost circular area having a depressed floor, almost always containing a central mountain and usually completely enclosed by walls that are often higher than those of a walled plain; ring formation; ring. Compare walled plain .

the bowllike orifice of a geyser.

the hole or pit in the ground where a bomb, shell, or military mine has exploded.

Electricity . the cavity formed in a positive carbon electrode by an electric arc.

Greek and Roman Antiquity . krater.

Metalworking . a depression at the end of a bead produced by welding.

( initial capital letter ) Astronomy . the Cup, a small southern constellation west of Corvus and north of Hydra.

to make craters in

Bombs had cratered the landscape.

Slang .

to cancel, abandon, or cast aside

to crater the new project.

to destroy or ruin

One more disappointment won't crater me.

to form a crater or craters

The surface of the concrete cratered and cracked under the repeated impacts.

noun

abyss , bowl , caldera , cavity , depression , hole , hollow , mouth , opening , pit