free fall

noun

1

: the condition of unrestrained motion in a gravitational field

also : such motion

2

a

: the part of a parachute jump before the parachute opens

b

: a rapid and continuing drop or decline

a free fall in stock prices

free-fall

ˈfrē-ˌfȯl 

intransitive verb

Examples of free fall in a Sentence

Sales were in free fall.

Recent Examples on the Web

At the time of the shooting, President Joe Biden was in free fall after a faltering performance in the June 27 presidential debate raised questions about his mental acuity. —Susan Page, USA Today, 11 July 2025

The second quarter began on an historically tumultuous note, with President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement of sweeping tariffs sending stocks into free fall and the bond market into turmoil, and putting the U.S.’s global economic dominance at risk. —Glen Luke Flanagan, Fortune, 30 June 2025

The spacecraft ran out of fuel and went into a free fall before impacting the Moon. —Stephen Clark – Jun 6, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025

But through this surprising free fall, Sanders has been keeping a positive mindset, at least publicly. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for free fall

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale

Kids Definition

free-fall

noun

ˈfrē-ˈfȯl

: a condition of falling freely (as before opening one's parachute)

Medical Definition

free fall

noun

-ˌfȯl 

: the condition of unrestrained motion in a gravitational field

also : such motion