Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

downspout

noun
Save Word
down·​spout | \ ˈdau̇n-ˌspau̇t How to pronounce downspout (audio) \

Definition of downspout

: a vertical pipe used to drain rainwater from a roof

Examples of downspout in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Wafer cookies and licorice strings became downspouts. — Annie Gentile, courant.com, "Imagination On Display At Annual “Gingerbread” House Decorating Event," 14 Nov. 2019 Among the damages, Collins removed the downspout from the house and broke the back door window. — Catalina Righter, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Sykesville man sentenced to jail time for first-degree burglary of neighbor," 20 Nov. 2019 If a section has sunk, see whether there is an obvious water source, such as a gutter downspout, aimed at the sidewalk. — Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, "How to raise a sunken sidewalk block and restore a level walkway," 2 Sep. 2019 Prevent mosquitoes from breeding by removing stagnant water from areas such as flowerpots, plastic containers, gutters and downspouts, and changing water in birdbaths and pet dishes at least every three days. — Jesse Garza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus," 27 June 2019 Rain gutters and downspouts should also be cleared to prevent flooding and pressure on awnings. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN, "Your questions about Hurricane Dorian, answered," 30 Aug. 2019 Rain gutters and downspouts should also be cleared to prevent flooding and pressure on awnings. — Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, "Hurricane Dorian storm tracker, plus your questions answered," 30 Aug. 2019 So Seaman and her husband hired a contractor to tear out the wood gutter on their 120-year-old Victorian house and replace it with a copper one, along with new downspouts. — Sean P. Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, "A gutter still gushes water after it was replaced," 17 June 2019 Clear gutters and make sure downspouts funnel water away from your house’s foundation. — Washington Post, "Liz Weston: Is your wealth dripping away?," 23 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'downspout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of downspout

1850, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about downspout

Time Traveler for downspout

Time Traveler

The first known use of downspout was in 1850

See more words from the same year

Statistics for downspout

Last Updated

15 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Downspout.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downspout. Accessed 28 January 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for downspout

downspout

noun
How to pronounce downspout (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of downspout

US : a pipe that carries rainwater from the roof of a building to the ground

See the full definition for downspout in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on downspout

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with downspout

Comments on downspout

What made you want to look up downspout? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

diligent

Listen to the pronounciation of diligent

showing steady, earnest care and effort

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Intact Latin Quiz

  • roman tablet
  • What did focus mean in Latin?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games