drop-off

1 of 2

noun

1
: a very steep or perpendicular descent
2
: a marked dwindling or decline
a drop-off in attendance
3
: the act or an instance of making a usually brief deposit or delivery
drop-off points along the route

drop off

2 of 2

verb

dropped off; dropping off; drops off

intransitive verb

: to fall asleep

Examples of drop-off in a Sentence

Noun the drop-off in movie attendance was the greatest in more than a decade Verb my interest in photography has dropped off over the years
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.
Noun
While a slowdown in Americans’ average wage growth is the main reason for the drop-off in overall income gains, other cash wellsprings such as company profits, corporate dividend payouts and bank interest payments are also throttling back. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025 Denver Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite is accused of punching a police officer in the face at the drop-off line at Denver International Airport on Sunday, according to court records. Shelly Bradbury, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
Donations at the North Aurora Goddard School can be dropped off at the building at 301 Miller Drive. David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025 If Mihailovic makes the USMNT roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, the Rapids cannot drop off a cliff when that time comes. Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drop-off

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1812, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of drop-off was in 1812

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Drop-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drop-off. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

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!