fallback

1 of 2

noun

fall·​back ˈfȯl-ˌbak How to pronounce fallback (audio)
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
Phrases
fall back on or fall back upon
: to have recourse to
had to fall back on their reserves

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
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
But America’s high-tech manufacturing sector isn’t without fallback options. Maddie Stone, WIRED, 15 Feb. 2025 And as one, the outfit is about to become my new fallback for nights out. Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
Thanks to time zones, Washington and Idaho still spring forward and fall back, but the southern half of Idaho is in the Mountain time zone, while North Idaho is in Pacific time with Washington state. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 12 Feb. 2025 Instead, a show that wants to purposefully mess around with its own patterns also can’t help but fall back into some unfortunate old grooves. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fallback

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fallback was in 1607

Browse Nearby Entries

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Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

fall back

verb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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