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

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

From Barron's

It then hit their fallback sites including sports arenas and recreational facilities.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Urban households may be more exposed to fuel shortages than rural areas, as they have fewer immediate fallback options," said Vibha Dhawan, director general at the Energy and Resources Institute in Delhi.

From BBC

Taiwan faces similar risks, with higher-cost U.S. supply a potential fallback, they say.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

Related Words

• contingency