rainfall

noun

rain·​fall ˈrān-ˌfȯl How to pronounce rainfall (audio)
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 The extra rainfall may lead to more disease issues, so pay attention. Janet B. Carson, arkansasonline.com, 22 July 2024 After heavy rainfall the past two years, vegetation in California has grown rapidly—and now, the current warm and dry summer conditions have turned these grasses into parched tinder, fueling fires, writes the New York Times’ Jill Cowan and Jonathan Wolfe. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 July 2024 Environment Canada lifted its heavy rainfall warning for Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area, the Toronto Star reported on Monday, July 15. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 17 July 2024 After two years of record rainfall in Los Angeles, the California native habitat has overwhelmed the front yard. Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for rainfall 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rainfall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rainfall was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near rainfall

Cite this Entry

“Rainfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainfall. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

rainfall

noun
rain·​fall -ˌfȯl How to pronounce rainfall (audio)
1
: a fall of rain
2
: amount of precipitation
an annual rainfall of 20 inches

More from Merriam-Webster on rainfall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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