windfall

Noun

1. Something that has been blown down by the wind.
2. The act of something being blown down by wind.
   • The danger from windfall is greatest to trees developed in dense stands, which are tall and have slender stems, and increases with the age of the stand. - 1911, United States. Forest Service, Bulletin, numbers 94-103,...
3. A fruit that has fallen from a tree naturally, as from wind.
   • They couldn't reach the branches, so they ate the windfalls.
4. A sudden large benefit; especially, a sudden or unexpected large amount of money, as from lottery or sweepstakes winnings or an unexpected inheritance or gift.
   • Businessmen rushed to get every last commodity aboard a departing ship, hoping for a windfall once the world realized these would be the very last sacks of flour available, thus driving up prices. - 2004, Chris Wallace,...
   • One of six siblings who’d been raised by a single mother, the client had earned a windfall of around $400,000 after going viral in 2021. - 2023 October 19, Brendan I. Koerner, “Watch This Guy Work, and You’ll Finally...
   • In addition to following the lead of Newcastle and Crystal Palace in making this a season of glory for clubs who rarely, if ever, win a trophy, Tottenham are also set to benefit from a £100m windfall after qualifying...

   Synonyms: godsend boon