befall

verb

be·​fall bi-ˈfȯl How to pronounce befall (audio)
bē-
befell bi-ˈfel How to pronounce befall (audio)
bē-
; befallen bi-ˈfȯ-lən How to pronounce befall (audio)
bē-

intransitive verb

: to happen especially as if by fate

transitive verb

: to happen to
the fate that befell them

Examples of befall in a Sentence

It's sad to think of the unhappy fate that befell him. The drought was only one of many hardships to befall the small country.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Injuries have also befallen attacking stars Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Martin Ødegaard this term, and the team didn’t recruit a goalscorer during the January transfer window—a tough market to find the right talent at the right price. Henry Flynn, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 But inside four minutes, more catastrophe befell his team. Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025 Shame on all of you who left our neighborhood looking like the chainsaw massacre befell our trees. Ticked Off, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2025 Military’s basic purpose What befell the Army has happened, in different ways, to other services. Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for befall

Word History

Etymology

Middle English befallen, going back to Old English befeallan (parallel to Old High German bifallan "to fall"), from be- be- + feallan "to fall entry 1"

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of befall was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Befall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/befall. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

befall

verb
be·​fall bi-ˈfȯl How to pronounce befall (audio)
befell -ˈfel How to pronounce befall (audio) ; befallen -ˈfȯ-lən How to pronounce befall (audio) ; befalling
1
: to take place : happen
2
: to happen to

More from Merriam-Webster on befall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!