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

This process, known as zoonotic spillover, can occur when humans come into direct contact with wildlife or domestic animals or intermediate animal hosts that carry the pathogen. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Aug. 2026

The spillovers are concentrated in subsidies for laboratories, corporate headquarters, and high-tech manufacturing plants, not unlike Micron. — Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

That’s because trying to cope with the blockade would lead to dangerous spillover effects. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

Following a historic effort to prop up the yen and prevent economic spillover, Japanese and American leaders vowed to intervene further if needed. — Shelly Banjo, semafor.com, 3 Aug. 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