free fall

noun

1

: the condition of unrestrained motion in a gravitational field

also : such motion

2

a

: the part of a parachute jump before the parachute opens

b

: a rapid and continuing drop or decline

a free fall in stock prices

free-fall

ˈfrē-ˌfȯl 

intransitive verb

Examples of free fall in a Sentence

Sales were in free fall.

Recent Examples on the Web

America’s foundation for maritime training has been in free fall for years. —Craig Hooper, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

Or lately, not even the middle, with the offense in free fall since a torrid opening month. —John Hollinger, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025

So when the Galaxy announced that Chris Klein, who presided over that free fall as the team’s president for a decade, had been given a contract extension, Andrew Alesana had seen enough. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024

Trudeau leaves the Canadian economy in shambles, with a dollar in free fall that hasn't been valued this low in years. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

free-fall

noun

ˈfrē-ˈfȯl

: a condition of falling freely (as before opening one's parachute)

Medical Definition

free fall

noun

-ˌfȯl 

: the condition of unrestrained motion in a gravitational field

also : such motion