1. the formation of craters, especially on a surface due to impact or explosion

1. present participle of crater; forming a crater or craters
2. collapsing or failing dramatically
Usage: informal

Examples

• The cratering on the moon’s surface tells the story of billions of years of asteroid impacts.
• Heavy bombing resulted in extensive cratering of the landscape.
• The meteorite was cratering the ground as it struck with tremendous force.
• Scientists studied the cratering patterns to understand the planet’s history.
• The company’s stock price was cratering after the scandal broke.
• His performance was cratering under the pressure of the competition.
• The cratering effect left deep holes across the battlefield.