spillover

noun

spill·​over ˈspil-ˌō-vər 

often attributive

1

: the act or an instance of spilling over

2

: a quantity that spills over

3

: an extension of something especially when an excess exists

benefiting from a spillover of prosperity from neighboring states

Examples of spillover in a Sentence

Put a pan under the pie to catch any spillovers.

New technology has a positive spillover effect into countless fields.

Recent Examples on the Web

Thousands more have been killed in spillover wars in Lebanon and Iran. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 2 Aug. 2025

The infectious disease expert said the measles cases popping up in California are mainly due to international travel and spillover from other parts of the United States rather than local community spread. —Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2025

To track the spillover crime tied to these arcades, reporters examined law-enforcement activity at more than 20 game rooms during the past five years. —Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025

All this may seem rather academic for the average markets discussion more focused on deflation, industrial overcapacity and spillover into trade tensions. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 23 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for spillover

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• holdover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover