Spillover Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ง
spillover
[หspษชlหoสvษr ]
Definition
economic effects
Spillover refers to the unintended consequences or effects that occur as a result of an activity or decision, particularly in economics. It can describe how the actions of one entity can have a ripple effect on others, often leading to both positive and negative outcomes. For instance, positive spillover can happen when a company's success boosts local businesses, while negative spillover may occur when pollution from a factory affects a nearby community's health.
Synonyms
consequence, outcome, overflow, spill.
Examples of usage
- The spillover effects of the conference boosted local tourism.
- Negative spillover from industrial waste contaminated the river.
- Job growth in one sector often creates spillover benefits in others.
- The spillover of foreign investment can stimulate economic growth.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Economics
- In economics, spillover refers to the impact that activities in one economic area can have on others, like a city's growth benefiting nearby towns.
- Positive spillover effects can enhance public services, while negative effects, like pollution, can harm surrounding areas.
Environmental Science
- Environmental spillover occurs when pollution or ecological changes in one region affect neighboring ecosystems, often leading to biodiversity loss.
- Spillover can lead to the spread of invasive species, where an organism moves from one ecosystem to another, disrupting local species.
Sociology
- Social spillover examines how changes in one community or society, such as policy changes, can influence attitudes and behaviors in surrounding areas.
- Cultural trends often exhibit spillover as well; whatโs popular in one city can quickly influence fashion and entertainment in others.
Health
- Health spillover pertains to the effects one person's health status can have on others, like how a pandemic can affect public health on a large scale.
- Well-being can also have positive spillover effects, where improvements in one individualโs mental health lead to better outcomes for their family or community.
Origin of 'spillover'
Main points about word origin
- Originating from the English phrase 'spill over', it combines 'spill' (to overflow) and 'over' (beyond), making it easy to understand its meaning.
- The term has been used since the late 19th century, primarily to describe physical overflow, but it evolved to also capture figurative meanings.
The term 'spillover' originates from the compound construction of two English words, 'spill' and 'over.' 'Spill' can be traced back to the Old English word 'spillan,' meaning to destroy or waste. Meanwhile, 'over' comes from the Old English 'ลซfer,' indicating a position above something. The combination of these words in the 20th century gave rise to the term 'spillover,' describing a physical overflow, which later evolved to represent figurative and abstract consequences, particularly in fields such as economics and sociology. The phrase became more prominent in discussions of policy and market dynamics during the late 20th century, highlighting how actions in one area can inadvertently affect other areas.