spillover

noun

spill·​over ˈspil-ˌō-vər 

often attributive

1

: the act or an instance of spilling over

2

: a quantity that spills over

3

: an extension of something especially when an excess exists

benefiting from a spillover of prosperity from neighboring states

Examples of spillover in a Sentence

Put a pan under the pie to catch any spillovers.

New technology has a positive spillover effect into countless fields.

Recent Examples on the Web

Yana Sinkevich, founder and CEO, The Hearty Paw The third force is category spillover. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026

More refining, processing, power generation and transport infrastructure could create wider economic spillovers. — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Beyond direct factory jobs, Brown said the spillover benefit of Prysmian’s latest investment will benefit local small businesses, restaurants and retailers. — Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026

Corporate security firms may increasingly feel free to offer cyber surveillance or disruptive operations to private clients under the banner of self-protection, creating a dangerous spillover of quasi-sovereign power into purely commercial hands. — David Niccolini, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for spillover

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• holdover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover