Definition of "fallout" []

• The slow descent of minute particles of debris in the atmosphere following an explosion, especially the descent of radioactive debris after a nuclear explosion. (noun)
• The particles that descend in this fashion. (noun)
• An incidental result or side effect: "Other social trends also have psychiatric fallout, and the people who suffer can't afford treatment” ( Martha Farnsworth Riche). (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Another McCain fallout from the values summit - McCain forgot he voted to confirm three judges he said he would never nominate."
• "LEMON: Well, we often use the term fallout to mean repercussions or consequences, but in this story we mean fallout."
• "Due to the severe fallout from the terrorist attacks that came on the heels of the telecom and Internet industry implosions, virtually all non-critical spending stopped."