rainfall

noun

rain·​fall ˈrān-ˌfȯl 

1

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

2

: rain sense 2a

Synonyms of rainfall

• rain

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

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026

Aim to give cucumber plants an inch of water each week from irrigation or rainfall, and water when the top few inches of soil feel dry. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 July 2026

Two months of heavy rainfall resulted in then-unfathomable devastation that still reverberates today. — Kansas City Public Library Staff, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

Part-time rivers and waterways, and the meager rainfall in Baja and in California, gave form to what are called riparian water rights. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rainfall

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale

Kids Definition

rainfall

noun

rain·​fall -ˌfȯl 

1

: a fall of rain

2

: amount of precipitation

an annual rainfall of 20 inches