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

The Berkeley study did not find any evidence of a spillover into the wages of workers at full-service restaurants chains such as Denny’s, Applebee’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Red Robin and Outback Steakhouse. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 22 Nov. 2025

Avian-flu strains are circulating in livestock and poultry with some spillover in people. —Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 18 Nov. 2025

The consequences extend beyond the couple, with clear spillovers onto coworkers. —Emily Nix, Fortune, 9 Nov. 2025

This all comes as Boston continues to be hard hit by the opioid crisis at Mass and Cass, and the spillover from the drug and human trafficking zone. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025

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