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
Sinks on the vanity have slanted, green marble angles giving them a trendy look, and the faucet’s water spray is equivalent to a drenching rainfall shower (wide, strong, and incredibly impressive).
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026
Researchers say the landslides happened as extremely heavy rainfall saturated the ground, causing parts of the hillside to suddenly break away.
—Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 16 June 2026
The greatest risk is likely along a frontal boundary laid over central Louisiana and into southeast Mississippi -- rainfall may be heavy for a few hours in this area on Tuesday and could lead to significant flooding.
—Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 16 June 2026
Then looking ahead to the weekend, meteorologists are tracking potential for more severe storms that may bring excessive rainfall.
—Kendrick Calfee
june 16, Kansas City Star, 16 June 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.
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026
Researchers say the landslides happened as extremely heavy rainfall saturated the ground, causing parts of the hillside to suddenly break away.
—Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 16 June 2026
The greatest risk is likely along a frontal boundary laid over central Louisiana and into southeast Mississippi -- rainfall may be heavy for a few hours in this area on Tuesday and could lead to significant flooding.
—Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 16 June 2026
Then looking ahead to the weekend, meteorologists are tracking potential for more severe storms that may bring excessive rainfall.
—Kendrick Calfee
june 16, Kansas City Star, 16 June 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 17 Jun. 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
