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

Then came Batman and Riddler themed rides and a coaster named Goliath that featured a 235-foot free fall. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

College sports are in a free fall, and everyone inside the game knows it. — Lamell J. McMorris, Sportico.com, 14 Sep. 2026

The segment was narrowly focused on the rescue itself, as the officer described his free fall, major injuries and his ascent up a 7,000 foot ridgeline before being spotted two days later. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2026

Almost a hundred years ago, physicists theorized out what free fall should do to a quantum wave. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026

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