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

But the Washington, DC region, which was already grappling with fallout from earlier cuts to government jobs and spending, is expected to face some of the most serious repercussions.

Read more on BBC

But as the fallout after Jenrick's comments showed, there are plenty who see the city significantly more divided.

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Regional banks also slumped, with investors betting that without the big trading businesses that help Wall Street firms profit off market volatility, they could be more exposed to any economic fallout of the trade dispute.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal