Definition of "clash"

clash

/klaʃ/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural clashes
1. (onomatopoeia) A loud sound, like the crashing together of metal objects.
2. A skirmish, a hostile encounter.
  Quotations
  In Anatolia tensions between state officials (ehl-i örf) and the peasants were strained to breaking point.At several places—particularly in the frontier provinces—there were fierce clashes between the janissaries stationed there and the governors. In Aleppo and Damascus incidents were common after 1589: the kuls threw rocks at the beylerbeyi’s house, killed people, broke into the divan several times and took the money prepared by the council for remittance to the centre.
  2018, Pál Fodor, The Business of State. Ottoman Finance Administration and Ruling Elites in Transition (1580s–1615) (Studien zur Sprache, Geschichte und Kultur der Turkvölker; 28), Berlin: Klaus Schwarz Verlag × De Gruyter, published 2020, page 50
3. (sports) match; a game between two sides.
  Quotations
  But they ran out of time and inspiration as Les Bleus set up a deserved semi-final clash with Wales.
  2011, Tom Fordyce, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 12-19 France‎
4. An angry argument
5. Opposition; contradiction; such as between differing or contending interests, views, purposes etc.
6. A combination of garments that do not look good together, especially because of conflicting colours.
7. (hurling) An instance of restarting the game after a "dead ball", where it is dropped between two opposing players, who can fight for possession.
8. (Scotland) Chatter; gossip; idle talk.
verb
third-person singular simple present clashes, present participle clashing, simple past and past participle clashed
1. (intransitive) To make a clashing sound.
2. (transitive) To cause to make a clashing sound.
  Quotations
  Thorfinn clashed his shield against Vallon's and swung his axe to hook Vallon's ankle.
  2012, Robert Lyndon, Hawk Quest
3. (intransitive) To come into violent conflict.
4. (intransitive) To argue angrily.
5. (intransitive, in games or sports) To face each other in an important game.
  Quotations
  The veteran American legend claims he and Welsh two-weight world champion Calzaghe will clash on 20 September, probably at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
  2008 June 27, “Jones confirms Calzaghe showdown”, in BBC Sport‎
6. (intransitive, of clothes, decor, colours) To fail to look good together; to contrast unattractively; to fail to harmonize.
7. (intransitive, of events) To coincide, to happen at the same time, thereby rendering it impossible to attend all.
8. (intransitive, Scotland) To chatter or gossip.