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.
Known for its rainforests, waterfalls, and UNESCO World Heritage site — the Morne Trois Pitons National Park — Dominica is protecting its natural assets while promoting sustainable development. Panorama Media Ltd, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025 The director’s philosophical approach to the project draws from observations of nature, particularly how rainforests sustain themselves through symbiotic relationships. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 July 2025 Named by Travel + Leisure editors as one of the best places to visit in 2025, Nicaragua wows with everything from white-sand Caribbean islands and centuries-old churches to immense biodiversity in its untouched rainforests. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2025 The study opens up new questions about animal social behavior in the rainforest, according to a statement from Bielefeld University. Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 July 2025 Find Endemic Mammals in the Depths of Borneo Borneo’s verdant rainforests are a top destination for orangutan-spotting, and while these creatures are most active during daylight hours, some of the island’s most elusive residents are most likely to make an appearance in the dead of night. Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025 And Juliane Koepcke, the sole survivor of a 1971 plane crash in a Peruvian rainforest that killed 91 people. John Blake, CNN Money, 13 July 2025 Even though most gorilla treks in Rwanda and Uganda take place in the summer (the area’s dry season), the gorillas live in the rainforest, so rain can be expected anytime. Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 2025 Costa Rica is an ecological marvel with jungles, rainforests, and active volcanoes, and people from all over the world come here for yoga or surfing retreats. Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 16 July 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 20 Aug. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!