fall·out
ˈfȯl-ˌau̇t 
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
Andy Logan
fell out; fallen out; falling out; falls out
1
: quarrel
also
: to cut off relations over a quarrel
former friends who have fallen out
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
Synonyms
Examples of fallout in a Sentence
Noun
concerned about the possible political fallout from the scandal
Verb
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.
Recent Examples on the WebJeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
The fallout from Kody's first three marriages, along with the growing cross-family tensions, have been a focal point in the TLC hit's 18th season.
—Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
Whatever the ultimate outcome of the latest twist, Microsoft appears to have shielded itself from the worst of the fallout, writes Heard on the Street columnist Dan Gallagher.
—Heard Editors, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
Political leaders could feel the fallout at the ballot box, said Mr. del Pozo.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
Hundreds of thousands of regular people would be caught in the fallout if the company were to collapse under the weight of a conviction.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2023
Its author, Amerie, has to grapple with the messy fallouts as a total outcast.
—William Earl, Variety, 21 Nov. 2023
During the meeting, Jewish students and members of Students for Justice in Palestine said they were being harassed and threatened in fallout from the Israel-Hamas war.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Nov. 2023
His sit-down conversation with Kylie, 26, was perhaps most important as one of Tristan's past affairs was with Kylie's then-best friend Jordyn Woods, and the two never had a proper conversation about the fallout.
—Joelle Goldstein, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2023
The former Mater Dei star provided flashes of brilliance as a freshman, but fell out of the rotation during his second year after a position switch from running back to receiver.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023
Macaulay would crawl under the bleachers at the theater to look for change that had fallen out of people’s pockets.
—Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 1 Dec. 2023
Lempicka’s work fell out of favor for a period, but was rediscovered in the 1960s.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 29 Nov. 2023
In other scenes, a teacher nearly falls out of a moving bus, and a child who’s driving a bus full of classmates nearly crashes.
—Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
Are disposable vapes simply a fad that’ll eventually fall out of fashion, or are young people going to continue to use them recreationally?
—WIRED, 19 Nov. 2023
But high school graduation tests have fallen out of favor across the country over concerns that the mandates hurt disadvantaged teenagers.
—Troy Closson, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023
But as noncompete agreements fall out of favor, stay-or-pay clauses are poised to replace them.
—Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
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Noun
In Gaza, a father tries to shield his kids from falling bombs
Nov. 20, 2023
The cost and fallout have been steep as the war has advanced.
—Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
The fallout from Kody's first three marriages, along with the growing cross-family tensions, have been a focal point in the TLC hit's 18th season.
—Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
Whatever the ultimate outcome of the latest twist, Microsoft appears to have shielded itself from the worst of the fallout, writes Heard on the Street columnist Dan Gallagher.
—Heard Editors, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
Political leaders could feel the fallout at the ballot box, said Mr. del Pozo.
—Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
Hundreds of thousands of regular people would be caught in the fallout if the company were to collapse under the weight of a conviction.
—Joel Khalili, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2023
Its author, Amerie, has to grapple with the messy fallouts as a total outcast.
—William Earl, Variety, 21 Nov. 2023
During the meeting, Jewish students and members of Students for Justice in Palestine said they were being harassed and threatened in fallout from the Israel-Hamas war.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Nov. 2023
His sit-down conversation with Kylie, 26, was perhaps most important as one of Tristan's past affairs was with Kylie's then-best friend Jordyn Woods, and the two never had a proper conversation about the fallout.
—Joelle Goldstein, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Verb
Pop-up books fall out of use by the time most of us hit kindergarten, so mixing a childlike item with a chic subject matter is the perfect combination.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2023
The former Mater Dei star provided flashes of brilliance as a freshman, but fell out of the rotation during his second year after a position switch from running back to receiver.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023
Macaulay would crawl under the bleachers at the theater to look for change that had fallen out of people’s pockets.
—Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 1 Dec. 2023
Lempicka’s work fell out of favor for a period, but was rediscovered in the 1960s.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 29 Nov. 2023
In other scenes, a teacher nearly falls out of a moving bus, and a child who’s driving a bus full of classmates nearly crashes.
—Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023
Are disposable vapes simply a fad that’ll eventually fall out of fashion, or are young people going to continue to use them recreationally?
—WIRED, 19 Nov. 2023
But high school graduation tests have fallen out of favor across the country over concerns that the mandates hurt disadvantaged teenagers.
—Troy Closson, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023
But as noncompete agreements fall out of favor, stay-or-pay clauses are poised to replace them.
—Robin Kaiser-Schatzlein, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fallout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing fallout
Dictionary Entries Near fallout
Cite this Entry
“Fallout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fallout. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
fallout
1 of 2 noun
fall·out
ˈfȯ-ˌlau̇t
: the often radioactive particles that are stirred up by or result from a nuclear explosion and descend through the atmosphere
fall out
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)fȯ-ˈlau̇t
1
: to have a quarrel
2
Medical Definition
fallout
noun
fall·out
ˈfȯ-ˌlau̇t
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
More from Merriam-Webster on fallout
Nglish: Translation of fallout for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of fallout for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fallout
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