fall·out
ˈfȯl-ˌau̇t 
1
a
: the often radioactive particles stirred up by or resulting from a nuclear explosion and descending through the atmosphere
also
: other polluting particles (such as volcanic ash) descending likewise
b
: descent (as of fallout) through the atmosphere
2
: a secondary and often lingering effect, result, or set of consequences
have to take a position and accept the political fallout—
Andy Logan
Andy Logan
fell out; fallen out; falling out; falls out
1
: quarrel
also
: to cut off relations over a quarrel
former friends who have fallen out
3
a
: to leave one's place in the ranks
b
: to leave a building in order to take one's place in a military formation
Examples of fallout in a Sentence
Noun
concerned about the possible political fallout from the scandal
Verb
club members were soon falling out about how to spend the money they'd made washing cars
I had planned to have a sports career, but things fell out otherwise.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ashley Vega, People.com, 14 July 2025
The Epstein case fallout reached a fever pitch July 11, with even those inside the administration reportedly perturbed.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 14 July 2025
Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 19 July 2025
However, without the technology of today, the two eventually fell out of contact.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fallout
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Noun
However, the fallout was immediate, with her husband barely speaking to her and Kayla choosing to stay at her mother’s house.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 14 July 2025
The Epstein case fallout reached a fever pitch July 11, with even those inside the administration reportedly perturbed.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 14 July 2025
Verb
The Frenchman had fallen out of favor over the course of the year, going from a regular starter to benchwarmer before being left off the team sheet altogether for the past two matches.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 19 July 2025
However, without the technology of today, the two eventually fell out of contact.
—Angela Andaloro, People.com, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fallout
Cite this Entry
“Fallout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fallout. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fallout
1 of 2 noun
fall·out
ˈfȯ-ˌlau̇t
: the often radioactive particles that are stirred up by or result from a nuclear explosion and descend through the atmosphere
fall out
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)fȯ-ˈlau̇t
1
: to have a quarrel
2
Medical Definition
fallout
noun
fall·out
ˈfȯ-ˌlau̇t
1
: the often radioactive particles stirred up by or resulting from a nuclear explosion and descending through the atmosphere
also
: other polluting particles (as volcanic ash) descending likewise
2
: descent (as of fallout) through the atmosphere
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