1
: the amount of precipitation usually measured by the depth in inches
2
Examples of rainfall in a Sentence
This area has an average annual rainfall of 12 inches.
an increase in annual rainfall
Recent Examples on the Web
That system could bring several inches of rainfall along with cooler temperatures.
—
Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Total rainfall amounts could be between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, although higher amounts are possible with thunderstorms.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
The original pipe and pump plan was also designed for more intense and less common rainfall events while the injection well system was designed for smaller, more common downpours.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Israel is a water superpower This arid region has no big rivers or abundant rainfall.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rainfall
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.
Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Total rainfall amounts could be between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, although higher amounts are possible with thunderstorms.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
The original pipe and pump plan was also designed for more intense and less common rainfall events while the injection well system was designed for smaller, more common downpours.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Israel is a water superpower This arid region has no big rivers or abundant rainfall.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rainfall
Cite this Entry
“Rainfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainfall. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rainfall
noun
rain·fall
-ˌfȯl 
1
: a fall of rain
2
: amount of precipitation
an annual rainfall of 20 inches
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
