wreck / rek/ • n. the destruction of a ship at sea; a shipwreck: the survivors of the wreck. ∎  a ship destroyed in such a way: the salvaging of treasure from wrecks. ∎  Law goods brought ashore by the sea from a wreck and not claimed by the owner within a specified period (usually a year): the profits of wreck. ∎  something, esp. a vehicle or building, that has been badly damaged or destroyed: the plane was reduced to a smoldering wreck | fig. the wreck of their marriage. ∎  the disorganized remains of something that has suffered damage or destruction. ∎  a road or rail crash: a train wreck. ∎  a person whose physical or mental health or strength has failed: the scandal left the family emotional wrecks.• v. [tr.] (usu. be wrecked) cause the destruction of (a ship) by sinking or breaking up: he was drowned when his ship was wrecked. ∎  involve (someone) in such a wreck: sailors who had the misfortune to be wrecked on these coasts. ∎  [intr.] [usu. as n.] (wrecking) chiefly hist. cause the destruction of a ship in order to steal the cargo: the locals reverted to the age-old practice of wrecking. ∎  [intr.] archaic suffer or undergo shipwreck. ∎  destroy or severely damage (a structure or vehicle): the blast wrecked more than 100 houses. ∎  spoil completely: an eye injury wrecked his chances of a professional career. ∎  [intr.] [usu. as n.] (wrecking) engage in breaking up badly damaged vehicles, demolishing old buildings, or similar activities to obtain usable spares or scrap.

wreck what is cast ashore by the sea; ruined or disabled ship XIII; disabling of a vessel XV. — AN. wrec — ON. *wrek, f. *wrekan drive (see WREAK).
Hence wreck vb. make a wreck OF. XV (cf. AL. wrecāre XII). wreckage wrecking; remains of a wrecked vessel. XIX.