free fall

noun

Synonyms of free fallnext
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 How to pronounce free fall (audio)
intransitive verb

Examples of free fall in a Sentence

Sales were in free fall.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her cousin died when the second quake struck seconds later and the wall collapsed —seven floors in free fall. — Sarah Moreno july 2, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 Gilmore was sent to Tajikistan to help stabilize an economy in free fall. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 2026 The sustainability industry is in a free fall and the industry reaction reminds of me sports. — Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 Stokesbury said the climber's descent was a long slide down the steep snow slope rather than a straight free fall, with the terrain gradually becoming less steep farther down the mountain. — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for free fall

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of free fall was in 1851

Rhymes for free fall

See All Rhymes for free fall

Browse Nearby Words

free enterpriser
free fall
free fantasia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Free fall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20fall. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

free-fall

noun
ˈfrē-ˈfȯl
: a condition of falling freely (as before opening one's parachute)

Medical Definition

free fall

noun
-ˌfȯl How to pronounce free fall (audio)
: the condition of unrestrained motion in a gravitational field
also : such motion

More from Merriam-Webster on free fall

Nglish: Translation of free fall for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All