fallback

[ fawl-bak ]

noun

1. an act or instance of falling back.
2. something or someone to turn or return to, especially for help or as an alternative:

   His teaching experience would be a fallback if the business failed.

adjective

1. Also fall-back. of or designating something kept in reserve or as an alternative:

   The negotiators agreed on a fallback position.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fallback¹

1750–60, Americanism; noun, adj. use of verb phrase fall back

Example Sentences

But Smith’s multiple fallback positions might yet permit a jury to weigh a powerful and persuasive account of some of the former president’s most corrosive conduct.

From Los Angeles Times

January 6, 2021, that day of presidential infamy, was also an experiment for Donald Trump and those who wanted to overturn a legitimate election through a quiet coup; when it failed, violence was the fallback.

From Salon

And Republicans' fallback argument that they are better with the annual deficit or the national debt is just silly.

From Salon

“If we think there are risks, depending on our analysis of the context, we have fallback scenarios. There are plan Bs and plan Cs,” Macron said.

From Seattle Times

“But if we think there are risks, depending on our analysis of the context, we have fallback scenarios,” Macron said.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• contingency