fallout

noun

fall·out | \ ˈfȯl-ˌau̇t

Definition of fallout

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

verb

Definition of fall out (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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

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

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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

Competition from local smartphone rivals, trade-dispute fallout and a court battle could make 2019 a tough year for the company in its most important market outside the U.S. Photo composite: Crystal Tai. — Stella Yifan Xie, WSJ, "Apple to Chinese Consumers: Buy a New iPhone for Under $30 a Month, Interest Free," 21 Feb. 2019 In the days immediately following the fires, opposing political parties quarreled over who was responsible for the fallout of the blazes and the extent to which disastrous affects spread. — Kaylen Ralph, Teen Vogue, "22 Wildfires in Greece Have Killed 91 People and Injured 200 More," 30 July 2018 San Francisco restaurateurs have been preparing for the $15 mark and its corresponding fallout for four years. — Justin Phillips, SFChronicle.com, "SF restaurants struggle for balance in prices, service as wage hike arrives," 29 June 2018 But as ashen plume spewed as high as 40,000 feet above sea level before subsiding, its fallout caused the failure of telephone circuits and electric transmission lines in parts of the darkened region below. — sandiegouniontribune.com, "May 26, 1980: Mount St. Helens explodes again," 26 May 2018 But certainly, Haddon said, the burgeoning #MeToo movement and its fallout provides an ideal context for Hill’s address Thursday in Camden. — Susan Snyder, Philly.com, "Anita Hill among more female commencement speakers as #MeToo reverberates," 16 May 2018 The primary will be over next Tuesday, but Democrats hope its fallout will continue through November. — Amber Phillips, Washington Post, "From ‘unhinged’ to DUIs: How Indiana Republicans’ vicious Senate primary could haunt them in November," 2 May 2018 But just understand that there are two sides to every story—especially familial estrangements—and in the case of his fallout with his parents, only one side is talking. — Daniel Rapaport, SI.com, "FORE Questions Post-Masters Edition: Tiger's Disappointing Week, Reed's Checkered Past," 10 Apr. 2018 As her mother faces federal charges, Olivia Jade is also dealing with the fallout, as brands like Sephora have decided to end their partnerships with her. — Glamour, "Sephora Cut Ties With Olivia Jade Amid the College Admissions Scandal," 14 Mar. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

12 Apr 2019

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The first known use of fallout was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for fallout

fallout

noun

English Language Learners Definition of fallout

: the radioactive particles that are produced by a nuclear explosion and that fall through the atmosphere

: a bad effect or result of something

fallout

noun

fall·out | \ ˈfȯl-ˌau̇t

Kids Definition of fallout

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.

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