[krʌn(t)ʃ], (Verb)

Definitions:
- crush (a hard or brittle foodstuff) with the teeth, making a loud but muffled grinding sound
(e.g: she paused to crunch a ginger biscuit)

- (especially of a computer) process (large quantities of information)
(e.g: the program crunches data from 14,000 sensors to decipher evolving patterns)


Phrases:

Origin:
early 19th century (as a verb): variant of 17th-century cranch (probably imitative), by association with crush and munch

[krʌn(t)ʃ], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a loud muffled grinding sound like that of something hard or brittle being crushed
(e.g: Marco's fist struck Brian's nose with a crunch)

- a crucial point or situation, typically one at which a decision with important consequences must be made
(e.g: when it comes to the crunch you chicken out)

- a physical exercise designed to strengthen the abdominal muscles; a sit-up


Phrases:

Origin:
early 19th century (as a verb): variant of 17th-century cranch (probably imitative), by association with crush and munch