Your definition of 'disaster'?

I'm kind of new to actually posting here, so I feel out of place. Anyway:

My first writing project is a definition argument on the word "disaster." I'm already in the process of writing a rough draft, so I'm not here looking to steal ideas. Rather, I'd like to expose myself to y'all's opinions.

To me, a disaster is anything resulting in a mass destruction of property and/or death. Obvious connection here would be natural disasters, but I also mean along the lines of genocides, illnesses, etc. Anything that warrants global awareness.

If this is in the wrong section, feel free to move it.

Well, let me be the first to welcome you. No need to feel out of place at all.

There are many examples of disaster to choose from. If I could get a bit more clairification from you on this that would be helpful. I see you stated that the project is a definition argument on the word disaster. Does that mean you need to write about your own view of the definition or a basic overview of the word and its meaning? Also how long the paper needs to be will help narrow down how much detail to get into.

Disaster is a relative term. A disaster is any event which significantly impacts a person or group of people negatively.

A financial disaster.
A natural disaster.

One person's disaster is another person's mishap.

Pouring cereal then opening the fridge to find out there's no milk.

Disaster. Because now you either suck it up and eat it dry, or pour it back into the box which could get messy with cereal missing and scattering everywhere. TERRIBLE.

dis·as·ter   
[dih-zas-ter, -zah-ster] Show IPA
–noun
1.
a calamitous event, especially one occurring suddenly and causing great loss of life, damage, or hardship, as a flood, airplane crash, or business failure.
2.
Obsolete . an unfavorable aspect of a star or planet.

Well, let me be the first to welcome you. No need to feel out of place at all.

There are many examples of disaster to choose from. If I could get a bit more clairification from you on this that would be helpful. I see you stated that the project is a definition argument on the word disaster. Does that mean you need to write about your own view of the definition or a basic overview of the word and its meaning? Also how long the paper needs to be will help narrow down how much detail to get into.

I was actually thinking about this last night but refrained from editing the opening post because I wasn't sure if this thread was actually going to bear fruit.

We can all agree on what the technical term for a disaster is, I guess I was looking more toward a discussion of -what- people consider is a disaster.

For example, I could say that 9/11 was disastrous, but someone who lives in another country could say the mayhem that we've caused because of it was disastrous, completely disregarding the act of terrorism because much worse things have happened over longer span of time than a few seconds.

dis·as·ter   
[dih-zas-ter, -zah-ster] Show IPA
–noun
1.
a calamitous event, especially one occurring suddenly and causing great loss of life, damage, or hardship, as a flood, airplane crash, or business failure.
2.
Obsolete . an unfavorable aspect of a star or planet.

I forgot to mention that we aren't allowed to use the dictionary, or any other crevices of the Internet. It isn't a 'research' paper.

Disaster is a relative term. A disaster is any event which significantly impacts a person or group of people negatively.

A financial disaster.
A natural disaster.

One person's disaster is another person's mishap.

Bolded what is also my opinion, although I agree with the rest as well.

A death in the immediate family is quite devastating for those it affects, but on a larger scale it's not all that significant to be considered disastrous. Just how life is.

Pouring cereal then opening the fridge to find out there's no milk.

Disaster. Because now you either suck it up and eat it dry, or pour it back into the box which could get messy with cereal missing and scattering everywhere. TERRIBLE.

I actually have to do this a lot because I am lactose intolerant. sadface.

It was quite disastrous when I first found out, but it wasn't quite a true disaster.