fallout

noun fall·out \ ˈfȯl-ˌau̇t \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

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

Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images Facebook in recent weeks has been plagued by yet another scandal, as the social networking giant struggles to deal with the fallout from the Cambridge Analytica controversy.

— aric jenkins, Fortune, "We're Keeping Track of All of Facebook's Scandals So You Don't Have To," 6 Apr. 2018
Facebook's shares were down more than 2.5% and approached a bear market as the social media company contended with the fallout from a leak that exposed the personal data of more than 50 million users.

— Fox News, "Dow closes down nearly 460 after earlier 700-point plunge," 2 Apr. 2018
The investigation into Facebook, which has more than two billion active users, comes as the social network continues to deal with the fallout from Cambridge Analytica, and the mishandling of data from 50 million users.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "Facebook sued for allowing discriminatory housing ads," 27 Mar. 2018
Illustration: Laura Kammerman Facebook is already dealing with fallout from a separate revelation that an outside data firm, Cambridge Analytica, improperly obtained data about tens of millions of Facebook members.

— robert mcmillan, WSJ, "Facebook Logs Text, Call Histories for Some Android Users," 26 Mar. 2018
Now, the entire world is dealing with the fallout from Trump’s 2011 shaming.

— refinery29.com, "American Horror Story," 21 Mar. 2018
The city continues its fight against the opioid epidemic, but, as Solomon Jones writes, the black community is still dealing with the fallout from the crack epidemic.

— aubrey nagle, Philly.com, "Another nor'easter arrives, nearly 100 file to run for Congress | Morning Newsletter," 21 Mar. 2018
Along with fallout from the dog doping scandal, the race has lost a major sponsor as animal-rights activists ratchet up pressure.

— mark thiessen, The Seattle Times, "Iditarod musher says he was threatened by race official," 16 Mar. 2018
German automakers are battling with the disruptive shift sweeping the auto industry alongside dealing with the ongoing fallout from Volkswagen AG’s cheating on diesel emissions.

— Bloomberg.com, "BMW Sees Overhauled 5 Series, New X2 Fueling Sales Increase," 15 Jan. 2018

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

1946

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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

Phrases

bandy words, butt heads, lock horns, mix it up;

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