rainfall

noun

rain·​fall ˈrān-ˌfȯl 

1

: the amount of precipitation usually measured by the depth in inches

2

: rain sense 2a

Synonyms of rainfall

• rain

Examples of rainfall in a Sentence

This area has an average annual rainfall of 12 inches.

an increase in annual rainfall

Recent Examples on the Web

Monitor Moisture Levels Lawns should receive 1 inch of water each week throughout the fall from irrigation or rainfall. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026

Forecasters said Edouard is expected to produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches, with maximum totals up to 9 inches, for parts of the Upper Texas coast inland through east-central Texas. — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

For example, El Niño is associated with mass coral bleaching in the tropics, wildfires in Indonesia and heavy rainfall in parts of South America. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026

The meteorologist said the Boise area could see more rainfall — ranging from a 10th to a quarter of an inch — by Saturday morning. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rainfall

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale

Kids Definition

rainfall

noun

rain·​fall -ˌfȯl 

1

: a fall of rain

2

: amount of precipitation

an annual rainfall of 20 inches