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

Bathrooms have soaking tubs and separate shower areas, rainforest shower heads, lighted make-up mirrors, and plush robes. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 2026

Since industrial logging began more than a century ago, most of Vancouver Island’s productive old-growth forests — those capable of growing the large trees characteristic of the island’s rainforests — have been cut. — Annika Hammerschlag, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Raoni, one of the most renowned advocates for the protection of the Amazon rainforest and for Indigenous rights, traveled the world for decades to raise awareness about environmental preservation. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Banisteriopsis caapi, thick, climbing, woody vine (liana) of the Malpighiaceae family, native to tropical South America and widely associated with the rainforests of the Amazon basin. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 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