rainfall

noun rain·fall \ ˈrān-ˌfȯl \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of rainfall

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

2 : rain 2a

See rainfall defined for English-language learners

See rainfall defined for kids

Examples of rainfall in a Sentence

This area has an average annual rainfall of 12 inches.
an increase in annual rainfall

Recent Examples of rainfall from the Web

Orlando could see rainfall amounts ranging from a half- to three-quarters of an inch, the NWS said.

— stephen ruiz, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Rain remains constant in today's forecast," 17 May 2018
Normal May rainfall in Baltimore is 3-4 inches, and there was 3.6 inches of rainfall at BWI, the region’s point of record, from May 1 through Wednesday.

— scott dance, baltimoresun.com, "This is why it won't stop raining — and why this May could be one of Baltimore's wettest ever," 17 May 2018
In the evening, there’s a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10 p.m., and then a slight chance of showers from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. There could still be heavy rainfall in the evening, forecasters warned.

— jaclyn reiss, BostonGlobe.com, "These maps show where to expect thunderstorms, hail, and possible tornadoes in Massachusetts tonight," 15 May 2018
According to the weather service, the area’s strongest storms were across Lake and McHenry counties with rainfall in the 1.5- to 2-inch range, while other areas reported hail and wind damage.

— frank abderholden, Lake County News-Sun, "Heavy rains Monday cause delays, road closures in some areas of Lake County," 14 May 2018
Across South Florida, average rainfall amounts through Wednesday morning will range from 1 to 3.5 inches, with an even higher count in some areas.

— susannah bryan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hurricane center watching system bringing heavy rain to South Florida," 13 May 2018
The real jackpot for rainfall amounts came with some of the strong storm cells that rolled through Baltimore and St Mary’s County.

— greg porter, Washington Post, "PM Update: Severe storm chance southwest of D.C. this evening; steamy with storm chances again Monday," 13 May 2018
Vinoj Kumar, general manager of the Solai farm, blamed the disaster on massive rainfall in a forest above the dam.

— thomas mukoya, Anchorage Daily News, "Dam on Kenyan flower farm bursts, killing scores," 10 May 2018
And like many models, the E3SM produces two bands of rainfall in the tropics, rather than the one seen in nature near the equator.

— gabriel popkin, Science | AAAS, "DOE’s maverick climate model is about to get its first test," 3 May 2018

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.

First Known Use of rainfall

1817

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

rainfall Synonyms

RAINFALL Defined for English Language Learners

rainfall

noun

Definition of rainfall for English Language Learners

: the amount of rain that falls on a particular area

RAINFALL Defined for Kids

rainfall

noun rain·fall \ ˈrān-ˌfȯl \

Definition of rainfall for Students

1 : ¹rain 2

2 : amount of precipitation

Their average annual rainfall is 80 centimeters.

Learn More about rainfall

See words that rhyme with rainfall Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rainfall Spanish Central: Translation of rainfall Nglish: Translation of rainfall for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rainfall for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rainfall

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up rainfall? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

rainfall

Definition of rainfall

Examples of rainfall in a Sentence

Recent Examples of rainfall from the Web

First Known Use of rainfall

rainfall Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

RAINFALL Defined for English Language Learners

rainfall

Definition of rainfall for English Language Learners

RAINFALL Defined for Kids

rainfall

Definition of rainfall for Students

Learn More about rainfall

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

8 Insults Made Up of a Noun and a Verb

'Judicial' v. 'Judicious': We'll Settle The Case

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word