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

free-fall

ˈfrē-ˌfȯl 

intransitive verb

Examples of free fall in a Sentence

Sales were in free fall.

Recent Examples on the Web

The pandemic briefly sent airline valuations into a free fall. —Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2024

But Italian biodiversity, like that in the United States and elsewhere, is currently in free fall. —Mark Schapiro, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024

However, his fortune has been in free fall ever since thanks to dwindling sales at LVMH. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 16 Oct. 2024

Trump has slammed the administration for inflation during the past three years, while casting the economy in free fall. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

free-fall

noun

ˈfrē-ˈfȯl

: a condition of falling freely (as before opening one's parachute)

Medical Definition

free fall

noun

-ˌfȯl 

: the condition of unrestrained motion in a gravitational field

also : such motion