windfall

noun wind·fall \ ˈwin(d)-ˌfȯl \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Examples: windfall in a Sentence

Definition of windfall

1 : something (such as a tree or fruit) blown down by the wind

2 : an unexpected, unearned, or sudden gain or advantage

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See windfall defined for kids

Examples of windfall in a Sentence

They received a windfall because of the tax cuts.
hitting the lottery jackpot was an incredible windfall for the recently laid-off worker

Recent Examples of windfall from the Web

Everyone would enjoy higher interest rates, transferring an enormous windfall from banks to the people.

— david dayen, The New Republic, "Give Everyone Government Bank Accounts," 13 June 2018
That may sound like an extraordinary and isolated event, but many local entrepreneurs and landowners are experiencing a windfall from the boom.

— kacy burdette, Fortune, "Photographing The Permian Basin," 25 May 2018
Idaho, on the other hand, moved quickly to return the revenue windfall to residents through tax cuts.

— ben casselman, New York Times, "Federal Tax Cuts Leave States in a Bind," 12 May 2018
Idaho, on the other hand, moved quickly to return the revenue windfall to residents through tax cuts.

— ben casselman, BostonGlobe.com, "Federal tax cuts give many states cash windfall," 12 May 2018
That division derailed a tax bill Friday that would have cost the state an estimated $194 million in revenue over the next three years, if lawmakers had returned what was dubbed a windfall to Kansas taxpayers.

— hunter woodall, kansascity, "Kansas House kills tax ‘windfall’ brought about by Trump cuts | The Kansas City Star," 4 May 2018
In fact, by providing a cash windfall to companies, the tax changes may be reducing their near-term need for loans.

— aaron back, WSJ, "Banks Still Waiting for Tax-Overhaul Borrowing Boost," 13 Apr. 2018
Opponents contend the bill will deliver a financial windfall to landlords and homeowners, while placing new burden on low-income renters.

— jon schleuss, latimes.com, "Plan to dramatically increase development would transform some L.A. neighborhoods," 25 Mar. 2018
When the announcement was made a few days before Christmas that the 115th was chosen by the Air Force as one of two Air National Guard bases to get the new F-35A, Gov. Scott Walker touted the selection as an economic windfall to the community.

— meg jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Planes headed for Wisconsin Air National Guard aren't just tech marvels, they're security for base," 1 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of windfall

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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windfall Synonyms

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth

WINDFALL Defined for English Language Learners

windfall

noun

Definition of windfall for English Language Learners

: an unexpected amount of money that you get as a gift, prize, etc.

WINDFALL Defined for Kids

windfall

noun wind·fall \ ˈwind-ˌfȯl \

Definition of windfall for Students

1 : something (as fruit from a tree) blown down by the wind

2 : an unexpected gift or gain

Learn More about windfall

See words that rhyme with windfall Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for windfall Spanish Central: Translation of windfall Nglish: Translation of windfall for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of windfall for Arabic speakers

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windfall

Definition of windfall

Examples of windfall in a Sentence

Recent Examples of windfall from the Web

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windfall Synonyms

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Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

WINDFALL Defined for English Language Learners

windfall

Definition of windfall for English Language Learners

WINDFALL Defined for Kids

windfall

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