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

Rams coach Sean McVay’s consistent fallback position is one of optimism no matter how bleak the situation. —Jay Paris, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024

The excellent back-of-steering-wheel controls Chrysler vehicles pioneered make up for that, but there’s no fallback to store or select seating positions. —Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 17 July 2024

Verb

The 15-inch capsule, outfitted with 200 sensors and four cameras, will then collect data as the satellite falls back to Earth and begins to disintegrate. —Michael Kan, PCMAG, 27 Sep. 2024

Eventually, selecting becomes muscle memory, but the persistent busywork required to manage even the simplest situation becomes a slog, pushing players to fall back on the most reliable methods to get the job done quickly rather than try anything new. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 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