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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Read Dead Redemption 2 befell a similar fate, after it was initially set to be released at the end of 2017, but was delayed twice and ultimately released in October 2018. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 After depression from the loss of his brother, the same fate befell Elijah two months later. Jenna Intersimone, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024 In fact, an ugly moment befell the San Francisco sideline when star receiver Deebo Samuel was spotted grabbing the neck of his long snapper teammate, Taybor Pepper. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 11 Nov. 2024 The French top-flight club undertook a review of the team’s performance during Vieira’s first and only campaign and decided to hire a new head coach, which is also the fate that befell Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino after one year in the job in west London. Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for befall 

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 25 Dec. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!