free fall: Meaning and Definition of

free' fall'

1. the hypothetical fall of a body such that the only force acting upon it is that of gravity.
2. the part of a parachute jump that precedes the opening of the parachute.
3. a decline, esp. a sudden or rapid decline, as in value or prestige, that appears to be endless or bottomless: The economy was in a free fall all winter.

free-fall

1. (of parachutists) to descend initially, as for a designated interval, in a free fall: The jumpers were required to free-fall for eight seconds.

1. denoting or suggesting a free fall: a free-fall recession.

1. free fall (defs. 1, 2).