1. the breaking off of fragments or chips from a surface, especially due to weathering, impact, or thermal stress
Usage: technical; geology; materials science
2. nuclear reactions in which a nucleus is broken into several smaller fragments by high-energy particles
Usage: nuclear physics

Examples

• The concrete showed signs of spallations after years of freeze-thaw cycles.
• Spallations on the building’s facade required immediate repair.
• The meteorite impact caused extensive spallations in the surrounding rock.
• Scientists studied cosmic ray spallations in the upper atmosphere.
• The nuclear reactor produced various isotopes through spallations.
• Thermal spallations damaged the spacecraft’s heat shield during reentry.