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

While the Giants have been in a free fall for most of the last two months, the Brewers, in their second year under manager Pat Murphy, have surged to the top of the National League standings. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2025

Best of all, my top 10 picks for wrinkle-free fall tops are all under $25 at Amazon. —Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025

But the league did not see him that way, with 143 players selected before the Browns pulled the ripcord on his free fall. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025

Even though the wins have been slower to come compared to April and May, the Cubs haven’t exactly been in a free fall. —Jared Wyllys, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 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