plummet

1 of 2

verb

plum·​met ˈplə-mət How to pronounce plummet (audio)
plummeted; plummeting; plummets

intransitive verb

1
: to fall perpendicularly
birds plummeted down
2
: to drop sharply and abruptly
prices plummeted

plummet

2 of 2

noun

1
: plumb
also : plumb line
2
: an abrupt drop : an instance of plummeting
a sharp plummet in prices
If in the final week of the season, the Mets were trying to stop a plummet off a cliff, they are now attempting to climb out of a dark, deep abyss …Judy Battista

Examples of plummet in a Sentence

Verb The acrobat plummeted into the net. The car plummeted to the bottom of the canyon. The satellite plummeted into the ocean. Stock prices plummeted 40 percent during the scandal. The TV show has plummeted in the ratings. Temperatures are expected to plummet this weekend. The town's population plummets when the students leave for the summer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Seeing the average rent in New York City climb to $4,000 monthly, and vacancy rates plummet, Shah knew that more quality housing was needed to meet demand. William Mullane, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024 The company’s same-store sales in the country plummeted 14% as foot traffic and the average spend per customer fell. Eunice Yoon, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2024 When the problems incorporated clauses that might seem relevant but weren’t, the models’ performance plummeted. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 In 2001 Stewart was accused of selling ImClone Systems stocks just one day before their value plummeted. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for plummet 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plummet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English plomet, from Anglo-French plumet, plomet, from plum lead, lead weight — more at plumb

First Known Use

Verb

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plummet was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near plummet

Cite this Entry

“Plummet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plummet. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

plummet

1 of 2 noun
plum·​met ˈpləm-ət How to pronounce plummet (audio)

plummet

2 of 2 verb
: to fall straight down : plunge

More from Merriam-Webster on plummet

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