fallback

1 of 2

noun

fall·​back ˈfȯl-ˌbak 

1

: something on which one can fall back : reserve

—often used attributively

a fallback career

a fallback position

2

: a falling back : retreat

3

: something that falls back

the fallback from an explosion

fall back

2 of 2

verb

fell back; fallen back; falling back; falls back

intransitive verb

: retreat, recede

see also:

fall back on

Synonyms of fallback

Verb

• withdraw
• retreat
• drop back
• pull out
• retire

Examples of fallback in a Sentence

Verb

resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If that primary path fails, regular electromechanical steering takes over as a first fallback. —Sean Evans, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2026

If the design takes New York’s fallback course, the library could be swallowed into a plain brown box. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Apr. 2026

Verb

The rec center helps, too, loaded with duckpin bowling, a small cinema, and games so there’s always something to fall back on. —Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2026

Sometimes, lending a sympathetic ear on the phone is awkward because there are no facial expressions to fall back on. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fallback

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

Kids Definition

fall back

verb

: retreat entry 2 sense 1