fallout

Or fall-out

[fawl-out]

noun

1. the settling to the ground of airborne particles ejected into the atmosphere from the earth by explosions, eruptions, forest fires, etc., especially such settling from nuclear explosions radioactive fallout.

2. the particles themselves.

3. an unexpected or incidental effect, outcome, or product.

   the psychological fallout of being obese.

4. effects; results.

   emotional fallout from a divorce.

fallout

/ ˈfɔːlˌaʊt /

noun

1. the descent of solid material in the atmosphere onto the earth, esp of radioactive material following a nuclear explosion

2. any solid particles that so descend

3. informal,  side-effects; secondary consequences

verb

1. informal,  to quarrel or disagree

2. (intr) to happen or occur

3. military to leave a parade or disciplinary formation

1. military the order to leave a parade or disciplinary formation

Word History and Origins

Origin of fallout¹

First recorded in 1945–50; noun use of verb phrase fall out

Example Sentences

He didn’t sense the initial fallout was “a big problem,” rather a “distortion on the part of some of the right-wing media networks,” he said.

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Both shows have been delayed by the war and its fallout.

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Instead, the threat of lingering inflation and the fallout from tariffs have combined to keep longer-term yields in a fairly narrow range.

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Masino said the company has pivoted quickly after the rebranding fallout and expects its customer traffic to eventually improve.

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His trip was being closely watched in Paris as opponents demand that he somehow bring the situation under control and allies brace for fallout, with European Parliament elections right around the corner.

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