Definition of "selloff" [selloff]

• The sale or disposal of a relatively large number of stocks, bonds, or commodities that often causes a sharp decline in prices. (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.

• "Meanwhile, a growing shift toward physical gold "ought to mean that investment will be more solid and less prone to short-term selloff of the kind seen in the futures market in late 2010 and early 2011," the consultancy said."
• "Worries of reduced demand from China could result in a short-term selloff, says Guy LeBas, fixed-income strategist at Janney Capital Markets."
• "Emerging Markets Hold Some Appeal Global fund managers are still somewhat pessimistic about investing in emerging-market stocks, with nearly half expecting a short-term selloff, Merrill Lynch & Co. said in a survey released Wednesday."