spillover

noun

spill·​over ˈspil-ˌō-vər How to pronounce spillover (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Regional bank shares tumbled Thursday after two lenders disclosed issues with borrowers, stoking nerves about the health of the credit market — and the potential for negative spillovers into the stock market and broader economy. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025 Three additional bedrooms filtered throughout the house each have their own bath and outdoor space, while the lushly landscaped grounds span over a third of an acre and host a heated saltwater pool and a spillover spa surrounded by a wraparound sundeck, along with a pair of fire pits. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2025 Inside the remaining hospitals, the spillover is visible. Selina Wang, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2025 Depending on the state, parents may also gain coverage through Medicaid expansion, which past research has shown to generate positive spillover effects by increasing Medicaid enrollment for their children who were already eligible. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spillover

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spillover was in 1940

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spillover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spillover. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on spillover

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