rainforest

noun

rain·​for·​est ˈrān-ˌfȯr-əst 

-ˌfär-

variants or less commonly rain forest

plural rainforests also rain forests

1

: a tropical woodland with an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches (254 centimeters) and marked by lofty broad-leaved evergreen trees forming a continuous canopy

called also tropical rainforest

2

: temperate rainforest

Examples of rainforest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest have used it for centuries to ward off disease. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

The candidates offer sharply different visions for the rainforest. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

In 2022, parachutist Luigi Cani dropped 100 million seeds over the Amazon rainforest while skydiving. — Regina G. Barber, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026

Deep in the humid greenery of a Sumatran rainforest, serenaded by birdsong and the jungle’s endless thrum, a baby orangutan clings to its mother. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rainforest

• temperate rainforest
• tropical rainforest

Rhymes for rainforest

• aorist
• deforest
• chorused
• forest
• sorest

Kids Definition

rain forest

noun

1

: an often tropical woodland with a high annual rainfall and very tall evergreen trees with tops forming a continuous layer

called also tropical rain forest

2

: temperate rain forest