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

The first fallback option is the continuing resolution Trump endorsed, a stopgap measure that would generally fund federal agencies at current levels. —Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025

In short, although Plan A should be the Norway model, the Israel model would be the fallback as Plan B. Russia could, of course, reject the Israel model, as well as NATO and a European guarantee, and stick to its maximalist goals. —Thomas Wright, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2025

Verb

And the operating income fell back to $ 129 million, against a year-earlier $404 million. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2025

Shiffrin generally falls back on her desire to drive her sport to new heights and inspire the next generation. —Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fallback

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

Kids Definition

fall back

verb

: retreat entry 2 sense 1