free fall
noun
1
: the condition of unrestrained motion in a gravitational field
also
: such motion
2
a
: the part of a parachute jump before the parachute opens
b
: a rapid and continuing drop or decline
a free fall in stock prices
Examples of free fall in a Sentence
Sales were in free fall.
Recent Examples on the Web
This camera will then free fall and hit the lunar surface in time to document Nova-C’s landing attempt.
—
Michael Greshko, Scientific American, 21 Dec. 2023
But while prospective homebuyers did pull back from the market, residential listings were in free fall during the pandemic and have yet to recover.
—Ben Harris, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024
The financial world was in free fall as values lost nearly 40%, seemingly overnight.
—Allen Buchanan, Orange County Register, 24 Feb. 2024
Foot Locker stock is in free fall because its profit goal is years away.
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024
But traditional tactics to shore up democracy through elections and institution-building have fallen short for decades, with barometers of global freedom in free fall.
—Suzanne Nossel, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2024
Consumption of physical media has been on a free fall for over a decade, coinciding with the widespread availability of streaming services and digital rentals and purchases.
—Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 20 Feb. 2024
By the early 1990s, Mr. Mulroney’s political fortunes were in free fall.
—Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024
Fake meat has, after all, been in free fall for months, and many consumers commented beneath the brand’s Instagram announcement that an avocado allergy would prevent them from buying Beyond IV.
—Marnie Shure / The Takeout, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024
Michael Greshko, Scientific American, 21 Dec. 2023
But while prospective homebuyers did pull back from the market, residential listings were in free fall during the pandemic and have yet to recover.
—Ben Harris, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024
The financial world was in free fall as values lost nearly 40%, seemingly overnight.
—Allen Buchanan, Orange County Register, 24 Feb. 2024
Foot Locker stock is in free fall because its profit goal is years away.
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024
But traditional tactics to shore up democracy through elections and institution-building have fallen short for decades, with barometers of global freedom in free fall.
—Suzanne Nossel, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2024
Consumption of physical media has been on a free fall for over a decade, coinciding with the widespread availability of streaming services and digital rentals and purchases.
—Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 20 Feb. 2024
By the early 1990s, Mr. Mulroney’s political fortunes were in free fall.
—Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024
Fake meat has, after all, been in free fall for months, and many consumers commented beneath the brand’s Instagram announcement that an avocado allergy would prevent them from buying Beyond IV.
—Marnie Shure / The Takeout, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'free fall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near free fall
Cite this Entry
“Free fall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20fall. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
free fall
noun
: the condition of unrestrained motion in a gravitational field
also
: such motion
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share