rain

noun, often attributive

\ˈrān

Definition of rain

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : water falling in drops condensed from vapor in the atmosphere

b : the descent of this water

c : water that has fallen as rain : rainwater

2a : a fall of rain : rainstorm

b rains plural : the rainy season

3 : rainy weather

4 : a heavy fall a rain of arrows

rain

verb

rained; raining; rains

Definition of rain (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to send down rain

2 : to fall as water in drops from the clouds

3 : to fall like rain soot and ash rained down

transitive verb

1 : to pour down

2 : to give or administer abundantly rained blows on his head

rain cats and dogs

: to rain heavily

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about rain

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Examples of rain in a Sentence

Noun

The weatherman forecasts rain for this afternoon. Everyone went inside when the rain began to fall. What the garden needs is a good, soaking rain. A light rain began to fall. There has been some flooding due to the recent heavy rains. We've had a week of rain. The rains came and flooded the valley.

Verb

Sparks from the fireworks rained on the field. The volcano rained ashes on the city.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Meanwhile in western China’s in Sichuan province, heavy rains and landslides prompted the closures of the popular Mount Emei and Jiuzhaigou tourist destinations. — Washington Post, "Typhoon Maria barrels into China after pounding Taiwan," 12 July 2018 Orlandoans will face a slight chance of rain and oppressive temperatures Thursday, according to the National Weather Service office in Melbourne. — Stephen Ruiz, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando weather: Hot temperatures remain, along with chance of rain," 12 July 2018 Meanwhile in western China's in Sichuan province, heavy rains and landslides prompted the closures of the popular Mount Emei and Jiuzhaigou tourist destinations. — Fox News, "Typhoon Maria barrels into China after pounding Taiwan," 11 July 2018 The method was extremely risky, but dwindling oxygen levels in the cave and fears of more monsoon rains to come made a decision urgent. — Anchorage Daily News, "With V-for-Victory sign, rescued Thai boys celebrate freedom," 12 July 2018 But Thai officials, acutely aware the monsoon rains could trap the boys for months, seized a window of opportunity provided by relatively mild weather. — Kaweewit Kaewjinda And Stephen Wright, Houston Chronicle, "'Everyone is safe' after daring rescue of 13 in Thai cave," 11 July 2018 With oxygen levels inside Tham Luang cave deteriorating and more monsoon rains on the way, rescue leaders on Sunday gave the go signal to kit out the boys with scuba gear and guide them out through the murky water one by one. — Jake Maxwell Watts, WSJ, "What Lies Beneath? Vague Mapping Complicates Thai Cave Rescue," 8 July 2018 In addition, heavy reliance on variable monsoon rains makes yields unusually volatile. — The Economist, "India’s government claims to subsidise farmers, but actually hurts them," 12 July 2018 The method was extremely risky, but dwindling oxygen levels in the cave and fears of more monsoon rains to come made a decision urgent. — Anchorage Daily News, "With V-for-Victory sign, rescued Thai boys celebrate freedom," 12 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Anyway, here’s hoping it has stopped raining somewhere. — Bob Brookover, Philly.com, "Phillies to play at 12:05 today, if rain stops | Extra Innings," 16 May 2018 So there was a delay, but before the impatient folks in the balcony could start raining empty cups on the arena floor, the tableau began. — The Masked Observer, AL.com, "The Masked Observer finds for dynamic Polka Dots, there's never 2 Much Fun," 4 Feb. 2018 The performance will be headlined by Pat Dalton, who attended the Route 91 Music Festival and was in the crowd as bullets started to rain down on the concertgoers. — Atreya Verma, azcentral, "NBA Summer League auction to raise funds for Las Vegas shooting victims," 12 July 2018 Add mosquito doughnuts to rain barrels that aren’t sealed and to water features where there is not enough moving water to prevent the production of mosquito larvae. — Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, "How to control your garden’s pests this summer," 25 May 2018 Your green eyes and smile are burned in our brain, the thought of you turns our tears to rain. — Hartford Courant, courant.com, "Donald Rulli Jr.," 1 May 2018 In 2015, attendance dipped to 386,000, which fest organizers chalked up to rain. — Doug Maccash, NOLA.com, "French Quarter Fest 2018 draws 560,000 fans, despite Saturday's rainout," 18 Apr. 2018 It’s hammered with sun throughout the day, is exposed to rain and wind, and still manages to protect its fruit from exposure. — Janna Mandell, San Francisco Chronicle, "Your skin’s secret (antioxidant) weapon? It starts with a C.," 6 Apr. 2018 From sunshine with warm temperatures to rain with flooding to snow with freezing temperatures all within a couple of days. — Chris Monzel, Cincinnati.com, "Column: Sign up for emergency notifications at Alert HC," 5 Apr. 2018

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