rainfall

noun

rain·​fall ˈrān-ˌfȯl 

1

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

2

: rain sense 2a

Synonyms

• 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

Drought concerns in the Midwest and Northeast Widespread moderate drought has developed recently in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, where precipitation during August was well below normal (rainfall deficits of 3 to 5 inches). —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025

Additional locations may experience flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, high winds, or other factors. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2025

My colleague Andrew Grundstein at the University of Georgia has also explored broader impact scales, and my research group has quantified the rainfall contributions from tropical cyclones. —Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

A level 2 of 4 threat for excessive rainfall is in place for parts of eastern New Mexico and western Texas due to rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour possible in the heaviest storms. —Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025

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