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

Climate is just the average patterns of temperature, rainfall, wind, ocean currents etc. —Adam Frank, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Before any wintry precipitation takes over, the region is expected to receive a beneficial soaking of rain, with rainfall totals of an inch to 2 inches—especially across Austin and areas to the north and east. —Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026

Exacerbating the problem, unpredictable rainfall cycling between drought and floods further devastates the region. —Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026

Phoenix is well below the average rainfall for January so far. —Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 23 Jan. 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