rainfall

noun

rain·fall | \ ˈrān-ˌfȯl

How to pronounce rainfall (audio)

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Definition of rainfall

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

2 : rain sense 2a

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about rainfall

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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 Strong to severe storms including large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall will be possible for parts of Texas into Louisiana while dry, warm breezy weather will enhance fire danger for the Southwest. — Janice Dean, Fox News, "National weather forecast: Storm system to bring widespread hazards," 13 Apr. 2021 Last week’s severe weather had brought high winds and heavy rainfall. — New York Times, "After the Tornadoes, Small Towns Grieve for Lost Lives and Wrecked Homes," 26 Mar. 2021 Officials urged residents to expect tropical-storm-force winds, heavy rainfall and possibly flash flooding or tornadoes beginning as early as Thursday in the city. — Washington Post, "Louisiana coastline prepares to be battered, again, with arrival of Hurricane Delta," 8 Oct. 2020 Ianos will bring destructive winds, torrential rainfall, tornadoes, and flooding across parts of Greece... — Paul Douglas, Star Tribune, "Mild End to a Minnesota September While More Tropical Systems Threat," 17 Sep. 2020 However, the hurricane center said that Rene would produce tropical storm-force winds and heavy rainfall across the Cabo Verde Islands on Tuesday before curving west-northwest on a path far from other land areas. — Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, "Tropical trouble for the Carolinas? Forecasters eye system in the Atlantic," 8 Sep. 2020 Located 1600 kilometers south of Honolulu, the atoll sits just shy of 6° north of the equator, on the edge of the intertropical convergence zone, a band of ocean known for slack winds and abundant rainfall. — Kenneth R. Weiss, Science | AAAS, "To save this palm-filled paradise, biologists must kill the trees," 27 Aug. 2020 The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Iota could bring dangerous wind, storm surge and rainfall to Nicaragua and Honduras by Sunday night. — Arkansas Online, "Tropical Storm Iota forms in Caribbean, is expected to become hurricane," 13 Nov. 2020 Threats to the metro New Orleans area include dangerous storm surge, heavy rainfall and strong winds. — Staff Report, NOLA.com, "Watch: Fishermen haul in huge shrimp at New Orleans lakefront ahead of Hurricane Zeta," 28 Oct. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

29 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Rainfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainfall. Accessed 7 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for rainfall

rainfall

noun

English Language Learners Definition of rainfall

: the amount of rain that falls on a particular area

See the full definition for rainfall in the English Language Learners Dictionary

rainfall

noun

rain·fall | \ ˈrān-ˌfȯl

\

Kids Definition of rainfall

1 : rain entry 1 sense 2

2 : amount of precipitation Their average annual rainfall is 80 centimeters.

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