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
Synonyms
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
Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Amid the fallout from the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky scandal, Parton refused to condemn the disgraced president.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Vincent Frank, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
What followed was months of chemotherapy, multiple surgeries and her hair falling out in clumps.
—John Blake, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fallout 
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
Even with a Republican Congress, some of this could prove difficult — and the potential fallout is uncertain at best.
—Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Amid the fallout from the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky scandal, Parton refused to condemn the disgraced president.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
After selecting fellow cornerback Emmanuel Forbes in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, he’s fallen out of favor in Washington.
—Vincent Frank, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
What followed was months of chemotherapy, multiple surgeries and her hair falling out in clumps.
—John Blake, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fallout
Dictionary Entries Near fallout
Cite this Entry
“Fallout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fallout. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share