cloudburst
noun
cloud·burst
ˈklau̇d-ˌbərst 
1
: a sudden copious rainfall
2
: a sudden outpouring : deluge
a cloudburst of anger
Examples of cloudburst in a Sentence
A cloudburst caused the river to flood.
the weatherman warned of possible cloudbursts in the afternoon
Recent Examples on the Web
The whole experience tasted of the sea and the end of summer, punctuated by soft little cloudbursts on the palate.
—
The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025
The Rockies’ epic drought ended with a cloudburst of terrific pitching by Tanner Gordon and one of the feel-good moments of the season coming from a most unlikely source.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2025
Heavy rain is not uncommon in South Asia this time of year, but experts largely agree that the frequency and intensity of cloudbursts have increased in recent years, in part due to climate change.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2025
Warmer air soaks up water like a sponge, and all this extra moisture can result in extreme rain and sudden downpours like cloudbursts, especially when that air meets the mountains.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloudburst
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The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025
The Rockies’ epic drought ended with a cloudburst of terrific pitching by Tanner Gordon and one of the feel-good moments of the season coming from a most unlikely source.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2025
Heavy rain is not uncommon in South Asia this time of year, but experts largely agree that the frequency and intensity of cloudbursts have increased in recent years, in part due to climate change.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2025
Warmer air soaks up water like a sponge, and all this extra moisture can result in extreme rain and sudden downpours like cloudbursts, especially when that air meets the mountains.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cloudburst
Cite this Entry
“Cloudburst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cloudburst. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cloudburst
noun
cloud·burst
ˈklau̇d-ˌbərst
: a sudden heavy rainfall
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