Dictionary definition · strike
noun
- a group's refusal to work in protest against low pay or bad work conditions"the strike lasted more than a month before it was settled"
- an attack that is intended to seize or inflict damage on or destroy an objective"the strike was scheduled to begin at dawn"
- a gentle blow
- a score in tenpins: knocking down all ten with the first ball"he finished with three strikes in the tenth frame"
- (baseball) a pitch that the batter swings at and misses, or that the batter hits into foul territory, or that the batter does not swing at but the umpire judges to be in the area over home plate and between the batter's knees and shoulders"this pitcher throws more strikes than balls"
- a conspicuous success"that song was his first hit and marked the beginning of his career"
verb
- deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon"The teacher struck the child"
- have an emotional or cognitive impact upon"This child impressed me as unusually mature"
- hit against; come into sudden contact with"The car hit a tree"
- make a strategic, offensive, assault against an enemy, opponent, or a target"The Germans struck Poland on Sept. 1, 1939"
- indicate (a certain time) by striking"The clock struck midnight"
- affect or afflict suddenly, usually adversely"We were hit by really bad weather"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).