fallout

1 of 2

noun

fall·​out ˈfȯl-ˌau̇t 

1

a

: the often radioactive particles stirred up by or resulting from a nuclear explosion and descending through the atmosphere

also : other polluting particles (such as volcanic ash) descending likewise

b

: descent (as of fallout) through the atmosphere

2

: a secondary and often lingering effect, result, or set of consequences

have to take a position and accept the political fallout

—Andy Logan

fall out

2 of 2

verb

fell out; fallen out; falling out; falls out

intransitive verb

1

: quarrel

also : to cut off relations over a quarrel

former friends who have fallen out

2

: turn out, happen

expected to be in the States …  , but things fell out otherwise

—Mark Twain

3

a

: to leave one's place in the ranks

b

: to leave a building in order to take one's place in a military formation

Synonyms

Verb

• altercate
• argue
• argufy
• bicker
• brabble
• brawl
• controvert
• dispute
• fight
• hassle
• jar
• quarrel
• quibble
• row
• scrap
• spat
• squabble
• tiff
• wrangle

Examples of fallout in a Sentence

Noun

concerned about the possible political fallout from the scandal

Verb

club members were soon falling out about how to spend the money they'd made washing cars

I had planned to have a sports career, but things fell out otherwise.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Many people, including this author, believe there will be short-term economic fallout from the pullback in government spending related to the activities of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). —Sal Gilbertie, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

Concerns have been raised over the economic fallout of the administration's hard-line immigration policies, with critics arguing that large-scale deportations could severely cripple the U.S. economy. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025

Verb

Then the market fell out, said Patrick Boel, managing director of development for Roundhouse. —Marcus Dorsey, Idaho Statesman, 20 Mar. 2025

Last year, the U.S. fell out of the top 20 for the first time in the report's history, landing at No. 23. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1946, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fallout

• fallout shelter

Rhymes for fallout

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

fallout

1 of 2 noun

fall·​out ˈfȯ-ˌlau̇t 

: the often radioactive particles that are stirred up by or result from a nuclear explosion and descend through the atmosphere

fall out

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)fȯ-ˈlau̇t

1

: to have a quarrel

2

: happen sense 1

Medical Definition

fallout

noun

fall·​out ˈfȯ-ˌlau̇t 

1

: the often radioactive particles stirred up by or resulting from a nuclear explosion and descending through the atmosphere

also : other polluting particles (as volcanic ash) descending likewise

2

: descent (as of fallout) through the atmosphere