shipwreck

1. (countable, uncountable) An event where a ship sinks or runs aground.Examples: "they made the coast of Cochin China, and the tempests, which rose at the same time, threatened them more than once with shipwreck"; "But now, ten years later, after his recent shipwreck, he cannot compete as a runner, though he can outthrow the slighter Phaeacians with the heaviest discus."countableuncountable

2. (figurative) Destruction; disaster; failure; ruin; irretrievable loss.Examples: "Holding faith and a good conscience, which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck."; "It was upon an Indian bill that the late ministry had made shipwreck."; "Then you will have played your part and earned my gratitude completely. Five minutes afterwards, if you insist upon an explanation, you will have understood that these arrangements are of capital importance; and that by the neglect of one of them, fantastic as they must appear, you might have charged your conscience with my death or the shipwreck of my reason."countablefigurativelyuncountable