fallout

noun fall·out \ ˈfȯl-ˌau̇t \

|Updated on: 2 Aug 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

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Examples of fallout in a Sentence

concerned about the possible political fallout from the scandal

Recent Examples of fallout from the Web

The Eurozone is already bracing for the fallout of tightening trade tensions with the U.S. Europe’s summer interim forecast puts growth 0.2% lower than its spring forecast, around 2.1% for 2018 and 2% for 2019.

— lucas laursen, Fortune, "The EU Just Slashed the Eurozone Growth Forecast Because of U.S. Trade War Tensions," 12 July 2018
But since then, Mr. Dunkin’s chances were hurt by the negative fallout from President Trump’s botched nomination of his personal physician to run the Veterans Administration.

— andy pasztor, WSJ, "Search for Permanent FAA Chief Seemingly on Hold," 10 July 2018
That could provide some relief to an industry bracing for the fallout from a potential trade war.

— eric d. lawrence, Philly.com, "In the market for a used car? Tariff talks might benefit you," 5 July 2018
But the evening's biggest statement may have been Claude Morais' own political one, commenting on the fallout from President Donald Trump's trade tariffs on American businesses.

— booth moore, The Hollywood Reporter, "Wolk Morais Taps Into Midcentury California Cool For Runway Show," 27 June 2018
The key figure in the fallout with Big3 is Ahmed Al-Rumaihi, a former Qatari diplomat in the U.S. and the former head of Qatar Investments, a $100 billion division of QIA, a sovereign wealth fund.

— edvard pettersson, Bloomberg.com, "Ice Cube's Big3 Investors Seek to End Suit Over Qatar Plot," 20 June 2018
Tune in for a conversation about the fallout over a biotech party that featured topless dancers slathered in company logos, and stick around for an interview with UC San Francisco cardiologist Ethan Weiss about NASH.

— damian garde, STAT, "LISTEN: Problematic parties, NASH nitpicks, and an intimate look at the opioid crisis," 14 June 2018
On the other hand, any discussion in the report on the fallout of Comey’s actions on the Clinton campaign could undercut Trump’s accusations that FBI and Justice Department officials are biased against him.

— kevin johnson, USA TODAY, "Watchdog expected to rebuke ex-FBI director James Comey over Clinton email case," 14 June 2018
The grave consequences of America's fallout with allies are one reason why eventually all sides might step back from the brink.

— stephen collinson, CNN, "Trump flips US foreign policy upside down," 7 June 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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Other Physics Terms

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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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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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