windfall

noun

wind·​fall ˈwin(d)-ˌfȯl How to pronounce windfall (audio)
1
: something (such as a tree or fruit) blown down by the wind
2
: an unexpected, unearned, or sudden gain or advantage

Examples of windfall in a Sentence

They received a windfall because of the tax cuts. hitting the lottery jackpot was an incredible windfall for the recently laid-off worker
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.
JPMorgan's profit rose to a record high in 2024 as its dealmakers and traders reaped a windfall from rebounding markets in the fourth quarter. Pritam Biswas and Nupur Anand, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025 If Putin loses the spigot of windfall oil revenues which has been propping him up the last three years, then the Putin regime will almost certainly collapse. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025 Jackson, meanwhile, will get a windfall at the back end of his current deal, with about $51 million scheduled to go to his bank account in both 2026 and 2027 assuming Baltimore keeps his contract intact. Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 19 Jan. 2025 Provisions aimed to prevent benefit windfalls The WEP and GPO rules, and how their intricacies affect individual beneficiaries, are complex. Lorie Konish, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for windfall 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of windfall was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near windfall

Cite this Entry

“Windfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/windfall. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

windfall

noun
wind·​fall -ˌfȯl How to pronounce windfall (audio)
1
: something (as a tree or fruit) blown down by the wind
2
: an unexpected gift, gain, or help

More from Merriam-Webster on windfall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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