trickle-down

adjective

trick·​le-down ˈtri-kəl-ˈdau̇n 

1

: relating to or working on the principle of trickle-down theory

trickle-down economics

2

: relating to or being an effect caused gradually by remote or indirect influences

Examples of trickle-down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While its solidly mid-$100K price tag isn’t for everyone, the trickle-down tech and features allow Cadillac to extend its innovations to other buyers. —Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Most other states weren’t hit so hard or as quickly as Colorado by the trickle-down effects of the federal tax bill. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2025

Loss of those other species could have a trickle-down effect on other plants and animals. —Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2025

Other states are already considering mid-decade congressional redistricting, and Democrats have warned of a trickle-down effect to local governmental bodies. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for trickle-down

• chinatown
• tumbledown
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown