definition of
catastrophe

[1] #1 catastrophe n. [calamity, disaster, tragedy, cataclysm] an event resulting in great loss and misfortune; "the whole city was affected by the irremediable calamity"; "the earthquake was a disaster". wn

[2] #2 catastrophe n. [disaster] a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune; "lack of funds has resulted in a catastrophe for our school system"; "his policies were a disaster". wn

[3] #3 catastrophe n. [cataclysm] a sudden violent change in the earth's surface. wn