kəˈlæmɪti ˈkætəˌklɪzm̩ kəˈtæstɹəfi dɪˈzæs.tɚ dɪˈzɑːs.tə(ɹ) ˈtɹæd͡ʒɛdi drama in which the protagonist is overcome by some superior force or circumstance; excites terror or pity an event resulting in great loss and misfortune the whole city was affected by the irremediable calamity the earthquake was a disaster