waterfall

noun

wa·​ter·​fall ˈwȯ-tər-ˌfȯl 

ˈwä-

1

a

: a perpendicular or very steep descent of the water of a stream

b

: an artificial waterfall (as in a hotel lobby or a nightclub)

2

: something resembling a waterfall

Synonyms

• cascade

Examples of waterfall in a Sentence

I used to like to throw sticks in the stream and watch them go over the waterfall.

Recent Examples on the Web

Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery The big lodge features wood and stone everywhere, a roaring fireplace, a waterfall, flowing stream and bridge. —Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 14 Aug. 2025

There were some spectacular waterfalls, and some pretty scenery before the rain. —Arkansas Online, 12 Aug. 2025

Where to Stay: Smith Falls State Park has a campground on the river, as well as Nebraska’s tallest waterfall. —Graham Averill, Outside, 11 Aug. 2025

Watkins Glen State Park is the most well-known of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with 19 waterfalls packed into just two miles of gorges and streams. —Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for waterfall

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol

Kids Definition

waterfall

noun

wa·​ter·​fall ˈwȯt-ər-ˌfȯl 

ˈwät-

: a fall of water usually from a great height