fallback

1 of 2

noun

fall·​back ˈfȯl-ˌbak 

1

: something on which one can fall back : reserve

—often used attributively

a fallback career

a fallback position

2

: a falling back : retreat

3

: something that falls back

the fallback from an explosion

fall back

2 of 2

verb

fell back; fallen back; falling back; falls back

intransitive verb

: retreat, recede

Phrases

fall back on or fall back upon

: to have recourse to

had to fall back on their reserves

Synonyms

Verb

• back away
• drop back
• pull out
• recede
• retire
• retreat
• withdraw

Examples of fallback in a Sentence

Verb

resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Two-thirds of the 50 counties around the U.S. considered most exposed to potential fallbacks were concentrated in California, Illinois, New Jersey and Florida. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

Willy Adames, seen as another potential fallback option, is already off the board after agreeing to a deal with the Giants. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

This is a role without precedent, for which judges are poorly equipped and apt to fall back on their ideological predilections. —The Editors, National Review, 5 Dec. 2024

The data shows the euro area economy fell back into contraction in November as business activity levels decreased at the fastest pace since January due to a decline in services output, S&P Global said. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

fall back

verb

: retreat entry 2 sense 1