fallout

noun fall·out \ ˈfȯl-ˌau̇t \

Definition of fallout

1 a :the often radioactive particles stirred up by or resulting from a nuclear explosion and descending through the atmosphere; also :other polluting particles (such as volcanic ash) descending likewise

b :descent (as of fallout) through the atmosphere

2 :a secondary and often lingering effect, result, or set of consequences

have to take a position and accept the political fallout
—Andy Logan

See fallout defined for English-language learners

See fallout defined for kids

Examples of fallout in a Sentence

concerned about the possible political fallout from the scandal

Recent Examples of fallout from the Web

When members of Congress from Texas return to work next week, the fallout from Harvey, likely the worst disaster to ever hit the state, will follow them back to Washington.

— dino grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: We asked Texas Republicans about Harvey and climate change. Only one answered.," 30 Aug. 2017
The hajj became further entangled in politics following the fallout between Saudi Arabia and Qatar when the kingdom and three other Arab countries cut all diplomatic and transport links with the small Gulf state this year.

— Bloomberg.com, "Hajj Pilgrimage Entangled in Web of Saudi Politics," 29 Aug. 2017
If Pyongyang collapsed, refugees and armed North Korean soldiers, fissile material, or even nuclear fallout, could stream over the Yalu and Tumen rivers, which form the border with northeast China, presenting a major challenge to its own stability.

— adam mount, The Atlantic, "How China Sees North Korea," 29 Aug. 2017
The fallout resulted in subpar pay-per-view numbers for Mayweather’s bout against Andre Berto three months later.

— santos a. perez, miamiherald, "Boxing purists face a choice," 20 Aug. 2017
Imagine the fallout if, for example, Gus Malzahn retweeted an Alabama or Georgia offer to an Auburn commit, or if Jim Harbaugh retweeted Ohio State offers to Michigan commits or Tom Herman liking Texas A&M offers to Texas commits.

— drew champlin, AL.com, "Take a tour through UAB's new football operations center and Legacy Pavilion," 18 Aug. 2017
Where Issa could have really earned respect from constituents would have been to call out President Trump for his role in making the rioting and its fatal fallout more, not less, troubling.

— logan jenkins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "A knock on wood for O'side mayor; a razz to Issa for timid response," 18 Aug. 2017
Fallout from the lapses led to the resignations of Health Director Marcus Plescia and four other employees.

— fred clasen-kelly, charlotteobserver, "More health department failures revealed amid agency shakeup," 2 Aug. 2017
Akeeshea Daniels discusses the fallout from an announcement this summer that lead and arsenic contamination were discovered in the soil of the West Calumet Housing Complex in East Chicago.

— craig lyons, Post-Tribune, "'It's a disaster': East Chicago still reeling from lead crisis, and EPA can't say if water is safe," 21 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fallout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of fallout

1949

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fall out

verb

Definition of fall out

intransitive verb

1 :quarrel; also :to cut off relations over a quarrel

former friends who have fallen out

2 :turn out, happen

expected to be in the States … , but things fell out otherwise
—Mark Twain

3 a :to leave one's place in the ranks

b :to leave a building in order to take one's place in a military formation

See fall out defined for kids

Examples of fall out in a Sentence

club members were soon falling out about how to spend the money they'd made washing cars
I had planned to have a sports career, but things fell out otherwise.

First Known Use of fall out

15th century

fall out Synonyms

Synonyms

altercate, argufy, bicker, brabble, brawl, controvert, dispute, argue, fight, hassle, jar, quarrel, quibble, row, scrap, spat, squabble, tiff, wrangle

Related Words

challenge, dare, defy; clash, contend, contest, tangle; cavil, fuss, nitpick; consider, debate, discuss; kick, object, protest

Near Antonyms

coexist, get along; accept, agree, assent, concur, consent

FALLOUT Defined for English Language Learners

fallout

noun

Definition of fallout for English Language Learners

: the radioactive particles that are produced by a nuclear explosion and that fall through the atmosphere
: a bad effect or result of something

FALLOUT Defined for Kids

fallout

noun fall·out \ ˈfȯl-ˌau̇t \

Definition of fallout for Students

1 :the usually radioactive particles falling through the atmosphere as a result of a nuclear explosion

2 :the bad result of something

He suffered the fallout from his poor decision.

Medical Dictionary

fallout

noun fall·out \ ˈfȯ-ˌlau̇t \

medical Definition of fallout

1 :the often radioactive particles stirred up by or resulting from a nuclear explosion and descending through the atmosphere; also :other polluting particles (as volcanic ash) descending likewise

2 :descent (as of fallout) through the atmosphere