domino effect

noun

plural domino effects
: a cumulative effect produced when one event initiates a succession of similar events compare ripple effect

Examples of domino effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Jeff pointed to fellow Club name Corning as an example of the domino effect. Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 23 June 2026 Disrupting essential frontline activities and tier huddles can cause a domino effect that impairs future lean efforts rather than lay a foundation for improvement. David Caines, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 Because these currents carry heat throughout the planet like an oceanic conveyor belt, any changes could have a domino effect on many parts of the Earth. Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 15 June 2026 That, in turn, has created another domino effect. David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for domino effect

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of domino effect was in 1924

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Cite this Entry

“Domino effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domino%20effect. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.

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