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

Fears that automation may erode business models and trigger mounting layoffs have weighed on sentiment, raising concerns about spillover effects on the broader economy. —Yun Li, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026

Today, suburbanization and New York spillover mean the accent is fading into a softer, more neutral register. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Feb. 2026

Honolulu is going to need a lot of new, market-rate units before low-income neighborhoods will see the spillover effects. —Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2026

MnDOT has expressed concern that removing travel lanes will lead to more traffic congestion, especially during morning and evening rush hours, and possible traffic spillover into neighborhoods surrounding the interstate. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 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