befall

verb

be·​fall bi-ˈfȯl How to pronounce befall (audio)
bē-
befell bi-ˈfel How to pronounce befall (audio)
bē-
; befallen bi-ˈfȯ-lən How to pronounce befall (audio)
bē-

intransitive verb

: to happen especially as if by fate

transitive verb

: to happen to
the fate that befell them

Examples of befall in a Sentence

It's sad to think of the unhappy fate that befell him. The drought was only one of many hardships to befall the small country.
Recent Examples on the Web Three injuries befell the Rams’ starting offensive line before the team had even reached its first joint practice against the Chargers in August, and a couple of backups dealt with their own wounds throughout the last month, too. Adam Grosbard, Orange County Register, 4 Sep. 2024 But Jimmy Chin is the exception, filming his climb, avalanches, injuries, and near-fatal setbacks that befall the voyage. Eric Farwell and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2024 Only the chance discovery of the newborn by a milkman saved him from the infanticide that befell other such unwanted babies. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Aug. 2024 The popular videos give her a real chance to avoid the fate that befell the first female presidential candidate, Victoria Woodhull, in 1872. Allison Lange / Made By History, TIME, 6 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for befall 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'befall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English befallen, going back to Old English befeallan (parallel to Old High German bifallan "to fall"), from be- be- + feallan "to fall entry 1"

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of befall was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near befall

Cite this Entry

“Befall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/befall. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

befall

verb
be·​fall bi-ˈfȯl How to pronounce befall (audio)
befell -ˈfel How to pronounce befall (audio) ; befallen -ˈfȯ-lən How to pronounce befall (audio) ; befalling
1
: to take place : happen
2
: to happen to

More from Merriam-Webster on befall

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