fallback

American  

[fawl-bak] / ˈfɔlˌbæk /

noun

1. an act or instance of falling back.

2. something or someone to turn or return to, especially for help or as an alternative.

   His teaching experience would be a fallback if the business failed.

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adjective

1. Also fall-back of or designating something kept in reserve or as an alternative.

   The negotiators agreed on a fallback position.

Etymology

Origin of fallback

1750–60, noun, adj. use of verb phrase fall back

Example Sentences

Unified is exploring an idea to create regional hubs at which parents could drop off students — as a fallback for families with no other child-care options, according to sources with knowledge of the planning.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

That means when fertilizer prices jump, corn becomes the more expensive bet and soybeans the cheaper fallback.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

And, in the short term, experts say, coal remains the most readily available fallback.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

Israeli intelligence learned that Iran had a fallback plan for its internal security forces in the event their facilities were destroyed—mustering at local sports complexes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

The words “law school” escaped from my mouth, the fallback answer for many students who have no idea what they want to do with their lives.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore

Related Words

• contingency