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
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
Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
Lieberman had a falling out with Gimbel (who died in 2018) and Fox (who is still living at 84).
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fallout
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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
Video surveillance appeared to show the other vehicle passing the minivan, before both vehicles coming to a stop, the side minivan door opening, then Martin falling out.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
Lieberman had a falling out with Gimbel (who died in 2018) and Fox (who is still living at 84).
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 26 Feb. 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 14 Mar. 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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