monsoon

noun

mon·​soon män-ˈsün 

ˈmän-ˌsün

1

: a periodic wind especially in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia

2

: the season of the southwest monsoon in India and adjacent areas that is characterized by very heavy rainfall

3

: rainfall that is associated with the monsoon

monsoonal

män-ˈsü-nᵊl 

ˈmän-ˌsü-

adjective

Examples of monsoon in a Sentence

floods caused by summer monsoons

Recent Examples on the Web

The region is used to monsoon rains and frequent flooding, but the enormity of the human toll and level of destruction have shocked many, with scientists warning that, as the climate crisis intensifies, more intense extreme weather events will become the new normal. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025

Thousands have died across southeastern Asia in wake of the floods, which follow multiple cyclones and amid an unusually intense monsoon season. —Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025

If possible, avoid planning your trip for July, as the monsoon season is known to bring flash floods to the desert. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2025

Fast forward to the Autumn and silver entered its peak demand, especially as India's monsoon and harvest seasons came to an end. —Gaelle Legrand, CNBC, 29 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

obsolete Dutch monssoen, from Portuguese monção, from Arabic mawsim time, season

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for monsoon

• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• harpoon
• immune
• impugn

Kids Definition

monsoon

noun

mon·​soon män-ˈsün 

1

: a periodic wind in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia

2

: the rainy season that accompanies the southwest monsoon

3

: rainfall that is associated with the monsoon season