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

For a night at Milford itself, Milford Sound Lodge has chalets overlooking the river and rainforest. — Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026

Scientists debate the threshold beyond which the dense, humid Amazon rainforest could shift to a drier ecosystem, with irreversible consequences for biodiversity and the climate. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

Native to the Brazilian rainforest, these tropical plants are typically grown as houseplants or annuals in Zones 10-12. — Lauren David, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2026

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