domino effect

American  

noun

• domino effects
  plural

1. the cumulative effect that results when one event precipitates a series of like events.

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domino effect British  

noun

1. a series of similar or related events occurring as a direct and inevitable result of one initial event

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• domino effects
  plural

Etymology

Origin of domino effect

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

domino effect

Insurance regulations limit lending to affiliated companies to prevent a domino effect of losses in insurer portfolios.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

As for changes to the EU itself, what's fascinating is that in 2016, after the UK's Brexit vote, there was widespread prediction of a "domino effect".

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

This has created “a domino effect that also strains hospitals and other care settings.”

From MarketWatch ● May 5, 2026

There are all these things that are a domino effect that you cannot predict.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2026

That letter had caused a domino effect of events that pitted Regan against me in a simulation test that just so happened to also be testing for compatibility for the partner program.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin