downpour

noun

down·​pour ˈdau̇n-ˌpȯr 

: a pouring or streaming downward

especially : a heavy rain

Synonyms of downpour

• rain

Examples of downpour in a Sentence

the downpour was so heavy that we were soaked by the time we got to the car

Recent Examples on the Web

At most, parts of the Boise area could experience spotty downpours with a quarter-inch to a half-inch of rainfall, according to Les Colins, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Boise office. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 22 July 2026

Bertha is set to inch closer to land Tuesday and could cause slow-moving downpours from around Tallahassee to New Orleans. — Ben Noll, Washington Post, 21 July 2026

The storms in New York City Saturday afternoon and evening could produce some heavy downpours and a risk for brief flash flooding in urban areas but should clear the area by Sunday morning. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Frequent lightning strikes, wind gusts up to 55 mph, and minor, localized flooding from heavy downpours will be possible, NWS said. — Elainie Colton, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

downpour

noun

down·​pour -ˌpōr 

-ˌpȯr

: a heavy rain