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

The chaos leaves Europe's second largest economy without a functioning government for the first time in 60 years — the most severe fallout to date from the efforts to shrink its deficit. —Courtenay Brown, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024

The Bears captain and Pro Bowl cornerback didn’t expect there to be fallout from the episode. —Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3 Dec. 2024

Verb

Other groups joined in the push, which over the course of a week saw four major cities fall out of government control. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

These workout earbuds were designed to never, ever fall out, thanks to their snug, in-ear fit and over-ear hooks. —Lauren Mazzo, Glamour, 10 Dec. 2024

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

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