crumple zone
noun
: a section of an automobile body designed to absorb the force of an impact in order to protect the passengers
Examples of crumple zone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The design is similar to the crumple zone of cars, which absorbs and disperses impact forces at the point of contact, according to VICIS.
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Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2024
Instead of slowing the craft’s descent, SHIELD — which stands for Simplified High Impact Energy Landing Device — would act like the crumple zone of a car, absorbing much of the energy of a hard impact.
—Caitlyn Buongiorno, Discover Magazine, 27 Oct. 2022
In Australia, the government dictates that such bumpers be designed and tested to ensure not only total airbag and crumple zone compliance, but that the bumpers actually work to reduce the forces transmitted to the vehicle in an impact.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 27 Jan. 2022
Side-impact protection usually involves the use of EPS foam and other shock-absorbing materials that can lessen the impact of a collision, while the car seat's shell to reduce movement and act as a crumple zone in the event of a side collision.
—Lauren Corona, chicagotribune.com, 28 Mar. 2021
The entire front of the car in front of the cabin is a crumple zone designed to absorb the impact in a crash before the energy can make its way to the cells.
—Popular Science, 3 Dec. 2020
But cars started shrinking in the 1980s, and engine bays got smaller as crumple zones and underhood electronics competed with engines for space.
—Matthew Jancer, Popular Mechanics, 21 Aug. 2018
The brace, then, provides both strength and a crumple zone, of sorts, for the new structure.
—Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 15 Aug. 2019
In the years that followed, additional safety features were added, such as rear-facing child seats, collapsible steering columns, crumple zones and side collision protection.
—David Krumboltz, The Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2019
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Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2024
Instead of slowing the craft’s descent, SHIELD — which stands for Simplified High Impact Energy Landing Device — would act like the crumple zone of a car, absorbing much of the energy of a hard impact.
—Caitlyn Buongiorno, Discover Magazine, 27 Oct. 2022
In Australia, the government dictates that such bumpers be designed and tested to ensure not only total airbag and crumple zone compliance, but that the bumpers actually work to reduce the forces transmitted to the vehicle in an impact.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 27 Jan. 2022
Side-impact protection usually involves the use of EPS foam and other shock-absorbing materials that can lessen the impact of a collision, while the car seat's shell to reduce movement and act as a crumple zone in the event of a side collision.
—Lauren Corona, chicagotribune.com, 28 Mar. 2021
The entire front of the car in front of the cabin is a crumple zone designed to absorb the impact in a crash before the energy can make its way to the cells.
—Popular Science, 3 Dec. 2020
But cars started shrinking in the 1980s, and engine bays got smaller as crumple zones and underhood electronics competed with engines for space.
—Matthew Jancer, Popular Mechanics, 21 Aug. 2018
The brace, then, provides both strength and a crumple zone, of sorts, for the new structure.
—Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 15 Aug. 2019
In the years that followed, additional safety features were added, such as rear-facing child seats, collapsible steering columns, crumple zones and side collision protection.
—David Krumboltz, The Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Crumple zone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crumple%20zone. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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