Spillover: meaning, definitions and examples

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spillover

 

[ ˈspɪlˌoʊvər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

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

Translations of the word "spillover" in other languages:

🇵🇹 transbordo

🇮🇳 अधिकता

🇩🇪 Überlauf

🇮🇩 melimpah

🇺🇦 перелив

🇵🇱 przelew

🇯🇵 スピルオーバー

🇫🇷 débordement

🇪🇸 desbordamiento

🇹🇷 taşma

🇰🇷 스필오버

🇸🇦 تدفق زائد

🇨🇿 přelévání

🇸🇰 pretekajúci

🇨🇳 溢出

🇸🇮 prelivanje

🇮🇸 afrennsli

🇰🇿 тасымалдау

🇬🇪 გაუმჯობესება

🇦🇿 daşma

🇲🇽 desbordamiento

Word origin

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 'ūfer,' 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.