1
: a condition in which an airplane is falling rapidly while turning around and around
The plane went into a tailspin. [=spin]
2
: a state in which something quickly becomes much worse
Stock prices are in a tailspin.
The team went into a tailspin and lost six straight games.
The news of his death sent her into a tailspin. [=caused her to become very unhappy, to lose control of her life, etc.]
Cite this Entry
“Tailspin.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/tailspin. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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