monsoon

noun

mon·​soon män-ˈsün 

ˈmän-ˌsün

1

: a periodic wind especially in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia

2

: the season of the southwest monsoon in India and adjacent areas that is characterized by very heavy rainfall

3

: rainfall that is associated with the monsoon

monsoonal

män-ˈsü-nᵊl 

ˈmän-ˌsü-

adjective

Examples of monsoon in a Sentence

floods caused by summer monsoons

Recent Examples on the Web

Solar geoengineering could open the door to a host of unintended consequences, including the potential to alter rainfall patterns and shift monsoons, which could have big repercussions for food production, scientists say. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

Southwest monsoon in the Philippines The Philippines have also been battered by monsoon flooding, which is expected to persist until Thursday, according to local media reports. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026

Building collapses are a recurring hazard in parts of India during the June-to-September monsoon season, when heavy or prolonged rain can weaken older structures. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Last year’s record-shattering monsoon season is heightening the urgency to invest in climate resilience. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

obsolete Dutch monssoen, from Portuguese monção, from Arabic mawsim time, season

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for monsoon

• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• harpoon
• immune
• impugn

Kids Definition

monsoon

noun

mon·​soon män-ˈsün 

1

: a periodic wind in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia

2

: the rainy season that accompanies the southwest monsoon

3

: rainfall that is associated with the monsoon season