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

The distributor is also showing Space Cowboy, directed by Marah Strauch (Sunshine Superman) and Bryce Leavitt, featuring Joe Jennings, a renowned skydiving stunt coordinator and free fall cinematographer, also opens in limited release at the IFC Center in New York. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026

The football program was in a steady decline and the men’s basketball program, after winning a national championship in 2014, was in a free fall. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026

Things finally blew up for the app in the second to last episode, with founder Whitney (Max Minghella) in free fall and Harper primed for victory. —Meg Walters, Glamour, 2 Mar. 2026

The Memphis basketball free fall continued March 1 with an 84-68 loss at East Carolina. —Corinne S Kennedy, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 1 Mar. 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