/ ˈkreɪtə(r); NAmE / noun
1.
a large hole in the top of a volcano
2.
a large hole in the ground caused by the explosion of a bomb or by sth large hitting it :
a meteorite crater
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent. (denoting the hollow forming the mouth of a volcano): via Latin from Greek kratēr mixing-bowl, from krasis mixture.