windfall
noun
wind·fall
ˈwin(d)-ˌfȯl 
1
: something (such as a tree or fruit) blown down by the wind
2
: an unexpected, unearned, or sudden gain or advantage
Examples of windfall in a Sentence
They received a windfall because of the tax cuts.
hitting the lottery jackpot was an incredible windfall for the recently laid-off worker
Recent Examples on the Web
Surging income and business tax receipts will leave Connecticut with its second-largest surplus in state history, analysts reported Wednesday, even as officials remained divided whether to use any of the $2.3 billion windfall to mitigate big cuts in federal aid.
—
Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2025
Social Security has promised to increase benefits and make retroactive payments to people affected by the windfall elimination provision and the government pension offset.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
The windfall provision was eliminated effective Jan. 1, 2025 so, as this column is being written, the Social Security administration is working on calculating back payments to those who fall into this category.
—Wendy Hickey, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
Among those seeking a windfall is Deployed Resources, which, along with its sister company, Deployed Services, has adapted to shifting government policies and priorities in immigration enforcement.
—Jeff Ernsthausen, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for windfall
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Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2025
Social Security has promised to increase benefits and make retroactive payments to people affected by the windfall elimination provision and the government pension offset.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
The windfall provision was eliminated effective Jan. 1, 2025 so, as this column is being written, the Social Security administration is working on calculating back payments to those who fall into this category.
—Wendy Hickey, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
Among those seeking a windfall is Deployed Resources, which, along with its sister company, Deployed Services, has adapted to shifting government policies and priorities in immigration enforcement.
—Jeff Ernsthausen, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for windfall
Cite this Entry
“Windfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/windfall. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
windfall
noun
wind·fall
-ˌfȯl
1
: something (as a tree or fruit) blown down by the wind
2
: an unexpected gift, gain, or help
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