- 1[countable, usually singular] a noise like the sound of something firm being crushed the crunch of feet on snow The car drove up with a crunch of gravel.
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- 2the crunch [singular] (informal) an important and often unpleasant situation The crunch came when she returned from England. He always says he'll help but when it comes to the crunch (= when it is time for action) he does nothing.
- 3[countable, usually singular] a situation in which there is suddenly not enough of something, especially money a budget/energy/housing crunch Higher grain prices are putting a crunch on cattle ranchers.
- 4[countable] an exercise for making your muscles strong, in which you lie on your back on the floor and raise your head and shoulders off the floor compare sit-up
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