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

Some of the biggest coaching jobs in college football came open last season, which invariably created a domino effect. — Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Fewer housing sales would drop the price of homes and the domino effect would ripple through the rest of the economy. — Will Richmond, The Providence Journal, 29 Aug. 2026

That’s partly because poor balance often leads to falls, which, for older adults, can initiate a domino effect of physical and mental decline. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

An event in summer 2025 would trigger a devastating domino effect, according to McCollough’s circle. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for domino effect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• eject