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

Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control. Don't tail large vehicles closely - Trucks or buses can kick up a water spray that obstructs visibility. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2025

The empty swimming pool in the courtyard had collected a knee-high puddle of swampy rainwater. —Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025

The move has also raised local water costs by limiting how much rainwater, which costs far less than imported water, the reservoir can store. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025

The glacier acts as a dam for nearby Suicide Basin, a lake-sized bowl that holds rainwater and annual snowmelt. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025

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