spillover

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noun, often attributive spill·over \ ˈspil-ˌō-vər \

Definition of spillover

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

See spillover defined for English-language learners

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 of spillover from the Web

A successful charter school serves as the model for Renaissance West, exactly the kind of innovation spillover that school choice advocates celebrate.

— ann doss helms, charlotteobserver, "Modeled after a charter, this $32 million Charlotte school sets trends for 2017," 24 Aug. 2017
That’s in addition to the costs posed if the U.S. enters new wars because of spillover from the Afghan viceroyalty.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "Are Mercenaries Really a Cheaper Way of War?," 9 Aug. 2017
Once the threat of police sanctions disappears, many people feel free to light up without considering the spillover effects.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "College students denied marijuana do better in school, study says," 31 July 2017
The Lebanese army in recent years has been battling Islamic extremists near its border with Syria and the country has suffered recurrent bouts of insecurity and spillover from the civil war raging next door.

— darlene superville, chicagotribune.com, "Trump, Lebanese leader pledge solidarity against terrorism," 25 July 2017
That spillover effect extends beyond access to health care itself, according to a new report from The Commonwealth Fund.

— julie rovner, Kaiser Health News, "Millions More Uninsured Could Impact Health Of Those With Insurance, Too," 14 July 2017
That was fine with The Red Bar, which could goose its (cash- or check-only) beer sales and fine with the surrounding businesses, which enjoyed the spillover.

— andy staples, SI.com, "Where to eat, drink near Miramar Beach, Florida," 30 June 2017
But that barrier can break down with age, opening sensitive eye cells to harm from the spillover, explained Genentech immunologist Menno van Lookeren Campagne.

— lauran neergaard, The Seattle Times, "Drug shows promise against vision-robbing disease in seniors," 22 June 2017
The heaviest storms should try to stay south and west of here, but some spillover into our area is possible, as is periodic rain into the overnight.

— ian livingston, Washington Post, "PM Update: Some rain into tonight, could be locally heavy; feeling like midsummer this weekend," 16 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spillover.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of spillover

1940

SPILLOVER Defined for English Language Learners

spillover

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noun

Definition of spillover for English Language Learners

: something that flows out of or spreads beyond a container, space, area, etc.

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See words that rhyme with spillover Nglish: Translation of spillover for Spanish speakers

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