shatter

Shatter is a verb and noun referring to the act of breaking something into many pieces, typically with force, and to the resulting fragments. The term is used across contexts where brittle failure occurs, from glass and ceramics to metaphorical uses describing the collapse of plans or illusions.

In materials science, shattering describes brittle fracture where a material cracks with little plastic deformation. This contrasts with ductile fracture, where materials deform significantly before breaking. Shattering often involves rapid crack propagation and the release of stored elastic energy, and it is heavily influenced by microstructure, temperature, and loading rate.

In safety design, some materials such as tempered glass and laminated glass are intended to minimize hazard from shattering by producing many small, relatively blunt fragments. Engineers seek fracture toughness and appropriate tempering to reduce shard formation while preserving functionality.

In consumer products, "shatter" is also used as the name for a cannabis concentrate with a brittle, glass-like texture. It is produced by purifying cannabinoids and terpenes from plant material and is consumed via heating (dabbing) or vaporization. The potency and purity of shatter can vary by production method and source material.

The term is used more broadly as a metaphor for abrupt, complete failure or collapse, such as plans, relationships, or reputations. Shatter can thus describe both physical outcomes and sudden changes in non-material domains.