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 of waterfall

• 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

Snider and her boyfriend, Brett, were meeting up with her sister and her sister’s boyfriend, and the group planned to hop on individual Sea-Doos to visit a nearby waterfall. — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

Its mix of cascading waterfalls, misty cloud forests, volcanic terrain and remote mountain landscapes gives productions access to a wide range of visual worlds within a reduced area. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 24 July 2026

The trail delivers waterfalls, alpine lakes and huge granite cliffs, and most trailheads require a wilderness permit that can be competitive to secure. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

From the villa’s lofty vantage point, views tumble down over fincas, coffee fields, cattle pastures and the cascading waters of El Encanto waterfall, before dropping away to meet the distant glimmer of the ocean. — Donna Hardie-Scott, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

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
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol

Kids Definition

waterfall

noun

wa·​ter·​fall ˈwȯt-ər-ˌfȯl 

ˈwät-

: a fall of water usually from a great height