fallback

plural fallbacks · alternative fall-back

1. countableuncountableAn act of falling back.

   A failure of one of the rocket's first-stage engines just after liftoff would result in a destructive pad fallback.

   1 more example

   The black hole formed as a result of fallback of ejecta onto the neutron star initially created by the supernova explosion.

   Synonyms: ebbing, recession, retreat

2. countableuncountableA backup plan or contingency strategy; an alternative which can be used if something goes wrong with the main plan; a recourse.

   As a fallback, I suppose we can use typewriters if the word processing system fails.

   Synonyms: back-up, backup

3. countableuncountablebusinessA reduction in bitumen softening point, sometimes called refluxing or overheating, in a relatively closed container.
4. countableuncountablePulverised material that falls back to earth after a nuclear explosion; fallout.

   Particle size distributions of fallback and ejecta were determined principally by mechanical sieving and weighing.

   1970, Nuclear Science Abstracts, page 3595

alternative fall-back

1. not comparableThat can be resorted to as a fallback.

   a fallback plan

   Synonyms: alternate, alternative, back-up, backup, secondary

alternative fall-back

1. misspellingMisspelling of fall back.