B2(an event that results in) great harm, damage, or death, or serious difficulty: An inquiry was ordered into the recent rail disaster (= a serious train accident).It would be a disaster for me if I lost my job.This is one of the worst natural disasters ever to befall the area.Heavy and prolonged rain can spell disaster for many plants.Everything was going smoothly until suddenly disaster struck.Inviting James and Ivan to dinner on the same evening was a recipe for disaster (= caused a very difficult situation) - they always argue with each other.Accidents and disastersDifficult situations and unpleasant experiencesFailuresbe a disasterB2informal›to be very unsuccessful or extremely bad: The evening was a complete disaster.As an engineer, he was a disaster.FailuresAccidents and disastersHigher and lower points of achievement