fallout
or fall-out
[ fawl-out ]
/ ˈfɔlˌaʊt /
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noun
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 ).Compare rainout.
the particles themselves.Compare rainout.
an unexpected or incidental effect, outcome, or product: the psychological fallout of being obese.
effects; results: emotional fallout from a divorce.
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Origin of fallout
First recorded in 1945–50; noun use of verb phrase fall out
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for fallout
British Dictionary definitions for fallout
fallout
/ (ˈfɔːlˌaʊt) /
noun
the descent of solid material in the atmosphere onto the earth, esp of radioactive material following a nuclear explosion
any solid particles that so descend
informal side-effects; secondary consequences
verb fall out (intr, adverb)
sentence substitute
military the order to leave a parade or disciplinary formation
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Idioms and Phrases with fallout
fall out
Leave one's place in military ranks, as in After inspection they were ordered to fall out. [First half of 1800s]
Also, have a falling-out. Disagree, quarrel, as in The brothers fell out over their inheritance, or They no longer speak—they had a falling-out some years ago. [First half of 1500s]
Happen, result, as in Let us know how it falls out in the end. [Second half of 1500s]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.