1
: an arc or circle that exhibits in concentric bands the colors of the spectrum and that is formed opposite the sun by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays in raindrops, spray, or mist
2
a
: a multicolored array
b
: a wide assortment or range
a rainbow of flavors
3
[from the impossibility of reaching the rainbow, at whose foot a pot of gold is said to be buried]
: an illusory goal or hope
4
1
: having many colors
2
: of, relating to, or being people of different races (see race entry 1 sense 1a) or cultural backgrounds
a rainbow coalition
Synonyms
Examples of rainbow in a Sentence
Adjective
the rainbow costumes worn by mummers at Mardi Gras
Recent Examples on the Web
Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 26 Nov. 2023
Then a 25-foot rainbow 3 that sparked a 10-point halftime lead.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2023
The mother-of-two got in the spirit, too, and wore a rainbow costume complete with a pair of knee-high rainbow socks and a pair of sunglasses with red lenses.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
The rainbow dress was one of the first outfits Summerville tackled.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Nov. 2023
And if gold isn’t your thing, the 60-piece stainless steel set comes in matte black, silver, and even rainbow metal.
—Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2023
Some of the pictures overlay figures rendered with black lines atop fields of soft, drippy daubs in a rainbow of hues.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023
There are two types of stamp sets available to purchase: one with a rainbow assortment and with a darker color scheme.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2023
But first, the model, actor and advocate graced the red carpet in a chevron print backless gown that glittered in a rainbow of jewel tones.
—Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 8 Nov. 2023
Brian Owens, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2023
While DeSantis was speaking, a protester stood up and held up a rainbow Pride flag.
—Tori Otten, The New Republic, 18 July 2023
The rainbow-haired rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, was picked up by an ambulance and hospitalized following the violent attack.
—Jessica Schladebeck New York Daily News (tns), al, 22 Mar. 2023
Kenny shares a selfie on Facebook with a rainbow view above the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
—Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2022
Siwa added even more rainbow pizazz to the ensemble with her denim vest.
—Seventeen, 7 June 2022
For 30 days, every product from T-shirts to bagels come in a rainbow motif in a nod toward supporting (and earning money from) the LGBTQ+ community.
—Lizz Schumer, Good Housekeeping, 7 June 2022
The crowd looked like a mini-rainbow coalition as Black, White and brown fans lined up to cheer the players.
—John Blake, CNN, 31 Oct. 2021
Bright heaps of soft toys and rainbow balloons and candles.
—Star Tribune, 24 July 2021
See More
Noun
Arizona Coyotes player Travis Dermott defied the ban last month by placing rainbow tape on his hockey stick.
—Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 26 Nov. 2023
Then a 25-foot rainbow 3 that sparked a 10-point halftime lead.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2023
The mother-of-two got in the spirit, too, and wore a rainbow costume complete with a pair of knee-high rainbow socks and a pair of sunglasses with red lenses.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 24 Nov. 2023
The rainbow dress was one of the first outfits Summerville tackled.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Nov. 2023
And if gold isn’t your thing, the 60-piece stainless steel set comes in matte black, silver, and even rainbow metal.
—Hannah Rice, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2023
Some of the pictures overlay figures rendered with black lines atop fields of soft, drippy daubs in a rainbow of hues.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023
There are two types of stamp sets available to purchase: one with a rainbow assortment and with a darker color scheme.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2023
But first, the model, actor and advocate graced the red carpet in a chevron print backless gown that glittered in a rainbow of jewel tones.
—Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 8 Nov. 2023
Adjective
The Garvin flies both a rainbow Pride flag and a Black Lives Matter flag, prompting the occasional shouted slur.
—Brian Owens, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2023
While DeSantis was speaking, a protester stood up and held up a rainbow Pride flag.
—Tori Otten, The New Republic, 18 July 2023
The rainbow-haired rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, was picked up by an ambulance and hospitalized following the violent attack.
—Jessica Schladebeck New York Daily News (tns), al, 22 Mar. 2023
Kenny shares a selfie on Facebook with a rainbow view above the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
—Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2022
Siwa added even more rainbow pizazz to the ensemble with her denim vest.
—Seventeen, 7 June 2022
For 30 days, every product from T-shirts to bagels come in a rainbow motif in a nod toward supporting (and earning money from) the LGBTQ+ community.
—Lizz Schumer, Good Housekeeping, 7 June 2022
The crowd looked like a mini-rainbow coalition as Black, White and brown fans lined up to cheer the players.
—John Blake, CNN, 31 Oct. 2021
Bright heaps of soft toys and rainbow balloons and candles.
—Star Tribune, 24 July 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rainbow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing rainbow
Articles Related to rainbow
Dictionary Entries Near rainbow
Cite this Entry
“Rainbow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainbow. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
rainbow
noun
rain·bow
ˈrān-ˌbō
: an arc or circle of colors that appears in the sky opposite the sun and is caused by the sun shining through raindrops, spray, or mist
Medical Definition
rainbow
noun
rain·bow
ˈrān-ˌbō 
slang
: a combination of the sodium derivatives of amobarbital and secobarbital in a blue and red capsule
More from Merriam-Webster on rainbow
Nglish: Translation of rainbow for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of rainbow for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rainbow
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