rainfall

rain·fall | \ ˈrān-ˌfȯl

How to pronounce rainfall (audio)

\

Definition of rainfall

1 : the amount of precipitation usually measured by the depth in inches

2 : rain sense 2a

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about rainfall

Keep scrolling for more

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 But the fading promises of rainfall are a disappointment for firefighters eager for some assistance from Mother Nature. — Michael Cabanatuan, SFChronicle.com, "Hope fades for fire-dampening rainfall in Napa, Sonoma counties," 7 Oct. 2020 Set up to represent Texas, Kansas, and Nebraska, the model tracks the area and volume of groundwater aquifers, the amount of rainfall that infiltrates to recharge them, and the irrigation techniques that turn water into crop yields. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "Projecting “peak water” and “peak grain” for the US High Plains," 6 Oct. 2020 Floodwaters washed away houses and destroyed roads and bridges surrounding the city of Nice on the French Riviera after almost a year's average of rainfall fell in fewer than 12 hours. — Danielle Wallace, Fox News, "France, Italy battered by heavy floods brought by Storm Alex; at least 8 missing, 2 dead," 4 Oct. 2020 An additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall are forecast across the northern Yucatan and far western Cuba, with locally higher amounts possible. — Gene Norman And Susannah Cullinane, CNN, "Hurricane watch issued as system brews in Caribbean," 4 Oct. 2020 The National Hurricane Center in Miami said 4 to 8 inches of rainfall are likely in parts of the Yucatan and far-western Cuba. — Editors, USA TODAY, "Trump remains in the hospital, South Carolina Senate race, 'SNL' returns: 5 things to know this weekend," 3 Oct. 2020 An ideal window is when wilds are calm and temperatures are cool, and fires are usually planned ahead of rainfall to put a natural end to the treatment. — Ula Chrobak, Popular Science, "How we can burn our way to a better future," 2 Oct. 2020 Areas of heavy rainfall are likely and a few of the thunderstorms may be strong enough to produce damaging wind gusts. — Jason Samenow, Washington Post, "Heavy downpours likely this evening and tonight in Washington region," 29 Sep. 2020 Hurricane Sally made landfall near Gulf Shores, Alabama, just 17 miles west of Perdido Key and exposed the coastline to an extended period of time causing it to be besieged with 7-foot storm surge and more than 2 feet of rainfall. — Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, "Following Hurricane Sally oil washes up along 5 miles of Florida shores: report," 28 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rainfall.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about rainfall

Dictionary Entries near rainfall

Statistics for rainfall

Last Updated

13 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Rainfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainfall. Accessed 22 Oct. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

adduce

Listen to the pronunciation of adduce

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Farm Idioms Quiz

What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.