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

The future of legal sports betting States that have not yet legalized sports betting may still see similar trends in financial insecurity for reasons beyond spillover effects. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026

Following the spillover of smog, the region’s pollution control domain necessarily grew bigger. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026

When adding spillover effects, such as supply-chain purchases and household spending, that number balloons to a nearly $13 billion contribution to Georgia’s GDP. —Amy Wenk, AJC.com, 23 Mar. 2026

This has real implications not only for Pakistan’s internal security but also for regional actors concerned about spillover effects. —Rabia Akhtar, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026

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