deadfall

noun

dead·​fall ˈded-ˌfȯl How to pronounce deadfall (audio)
1
: a trap so constructed that a weight (such as a heavy log) falls on an animal and kills or disables it
2
: a tangled mass of fallen trees and branches

Examples of deadfall in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Erin Gersh captured a limb from a large tree in her yard falling into a pile of deadfall. Morgan Womack, The Indianapolis Star, 29 June 2023 Then, a video demonstrating an ancient deadfall trap received over a million views. Oliver Whang, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2023 Flylow also included an internal beacon pocket in the leg, adding utility for backcountry skiers who already plan to bushwhack through deadfall in search of untouched powder. Nick Cote, Outside Online, 28 Apr. 2019 Seems like everyone hits the same two big sections of deadfall that are just heinous to navigate through, and everyone is less than enthusiastic about those portions of the ridge. Brendan Leonard, Outside Online, 27 Mar. 2020 Amid thick deadfall in the high country, every root and bleached cow femur can resemble an antler. The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2022 Over the final mile to the summit, the trail dodges among deadfall and wood chips left from when the trail was cleared of obstacles. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 20 Aug. 2021 His warning, the tree-climbing vernacular for plummeting deadfall, fills the forest moments before a branch whooshes passed, inches from my head. Thayer Walker, Scientific American, 29 Dec. 2016 Inside their vehicle, there was no rope strong enough to drag the deadfall. Daniel Glick, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deadfall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deadfall was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near deadfall

Cite this Entry

“Deadfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadfall. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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