fallout

1 of 2

noun

fall·​out ˈfȯl-ˌau̇t How to pronounce fallout (audio)
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 falloutAndy Logan

fall out

2 of 2

verb

fell out; fallen out; falling out; falls out

intransitive verb

1
: quarrel
also : to cut off relations over a quarrel
former friends who have fallen out
2
: turn out, happen
expected to be in the States …  , but things fell out otherwiseMark Twain
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Wildfires The forecast detailed the economic fallout from the devastating wildfires that burned through the Los Angeles area starting in early January. David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2025 Along with its financial issues, Vista is also dealing with fallout from the death of Chelsea Adolphus, a patient who was found unresponsive on the hospital roof and died on Jan. 25. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
But on one subject, the whole dozen fell out of the cart and smashed on the floor. arkansasonline.com, 10 Mar. 2025 Conversely, Jim cautioned against buying any restaurant stocks right now because the group has fallen out of favor. Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fallout

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fallout was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fallout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fallout. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

fallout

1 of 2 noun
fall·​out ˈfȯ-ˌlau̇t How to pronounce fallout (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce fallout (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on fallout

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!