fallout

1 of 2

noun

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

fall out

2 of 2

verb

fell out; fallen out; falling out; falls 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

Synonyms

Verb

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

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 Web

Noun

Three top producers were fired in the fallout, and DeGeneres issued an on-air apology. —Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2024

Everyone who spoke to THR for this story, from filmmakers to reps and executives, note that the perilous state of the studio feature and potential filmmaker fallout is likely to disproportionately affect female directors and and filmmakers of color, as movie jail often has. —Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fallout

• fallout shelter

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

: happen sense 1

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