spillover

noun

spill·​over ˈspil-ˌō-vər How to pronounce spillover (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Endogenous growth theory and lagged returns from AI Romer emphasized that the social returns to knowledge investments often exceed private returns because knowledge spillovers are hard to fully appropriate. Anjana Susarla, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Flynn’s emergency declaration proposal comes at a time when the spillover from Mass and Cass has become particularly prevalent in the South End, according to residents there, who have been calling for more policing, and even the deployment of the National Guard. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 29 Aug. 2025 With Istanbul alone accounting for 40 percent of total production, regional spillovers are expected to be substantial. Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 25 Aug. 2025 The chances of a spillover The challenge with SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) has always been knowing where to look. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spillover

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spillover was in 1940

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Cite this Entry

“Spillover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spillover. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on spillover

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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