rainwater

noun

rain·​wa·​ter ˈrān-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

: water fallen as rain that has not collected soluble matter from the soil and is therefore soft

Examples of rainwater in a Sentence

a bucket filled with rainwater

Recent Examples on the Web

The temporary rainwater ponds studied by Araújo’s team are critical breeding and development sites for multiple frog species. —Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026

How microplastics ended up in Amazonian tadpoles A team led by ecologist Fabrielle Barbosa de Araújo of the Federal University of Pará collected 20 water samples and 100 tadpoles from each of five temporary rainwater ponds at Gunma Ecological Park in Pará state, Brazil, in April 2025. —Ryan Brennan may 12, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026

Once the basin is complete, rainwater will flow into it and then drain into Lake Michigan. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026

Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rainwater

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater

Kids Definition

rainwater

noun

rain·​wa·​ter -ˌwȯt-ər 

-ˌwät-

: water falling or fallen as rain

Biographical Definition

Rainwater

biographical name

Rain·​wa·​ter ˈrān-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

L(eo) James 1917–1986 American physicist