4 meanings: 1. a sudden, extensive, or notable disaster or misfortune 2. the denouement of a play, esp a classical tragedy 3. a.... Click for more definitions. Master the word " CATASTROPHE " in English: definitions, translations, synonyms, pronunciations, examples, and grammar insights - all in one complete resource. A catastrophe is a disaster. If a wedding reception is disrupted by a fistfight between the bride and her new mother-in-law, you could call the occasion a catastrophe . Catastrophe definition : a sudden and widespread disaster.. See examples of CATASTROPHE used in a sentence.