rainforest

noun

rain·​for·​est ˈrān-ˌfȯr-əst 

-ˌfär-

variants or less commonly rain forest

plural rainforests also rain forests

1

: a tropical woodland with an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches (254 centimeters) and marked by lofty broad-leaved evergreen trees forming a continuous canopy

called also tropical rainforest

2

: temperate rainforest

Examples of rainforest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This park protects the Argentine side of the enormous Iguazú Falls (Iguaçu National Park is a hop over the border in Brazil), a system of some 275 roaring cascades deep in the rainforest. — Caitlin Morton, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026

Mining, which in some cases could happen near reserves in the Amazon rainforest, comes with major environmental risks. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

The park’s center is a massive shield volcano, which covers a great portion of the island of Maui, and also includes abundant waterfalls and rainforests. — Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026

The Amazon rainforest, which stores massive amounts of carbon dioxide and helps regulate the climate, is also at risk of a tipping point. — Peter Prengaman, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rainforest

• temperate rainforest
• tropical rainforest

Rhymes for rainforest

• aorist
• deforest
• chorused
• forest
• sorest

Kids Definition

rain forest

noun

1

: an often tropical woodland with a high annual rainfall and very tall evergreen trees with tops forming a continuous layer

called also tropical rain forest

2

: temperate rain forest