rainforest

noun

rain·​for·​est ˈrān-ˌfȯr-əst How to pronounce rainforest (audio)
-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

Examples of rainforest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its proximity to Olympic National Park makes for a great base for day trips to explore rainforests, beaches, mountains and other backcountry treasures. Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025 Madagascar is a popular destination for travelers who love exploration and visiting rainforests, canyons and caves. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025 Plus, like all Cariuma shoes, the brand plants two trees in the Brazilian rainforest with each purchase. Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025 In Brazil, wildcat gold mining degrades the Amazon rainforest and imperils Indigenous groups. Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025 Deep in the Amazon rainforest near Macas, this mystical cave requires a 74-meter rappel descent and offers three-day expeditions that combine wild caving with Indigenous Shuar culture. Heide Brandes, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025 Blessed with hikes that transport travelers through astounding rainforests and towering mountain peaks while enjoying incredible ocean views, Hawaii is home to both Haleakalā National Park on the island of Maui and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 14 Oct. 2025 Its blend of cinematic storytelling, global travel, and environmental education has introduced viewers to conservation efforts from the rainforests of Madagascar to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Okla Jones, Essence, 14 Oct. 2025 The city in the province of British Columbia is famous for the West Coast rainforest of Stanley Park, the art, culture and shopping on Granville Island, and the historic Gastown neighborhood. Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rainforest was in 1900

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rainforest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainforest. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on rainforest

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