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 In the southern Bolivian Amazon, for example, annual rainfall has declined 20 millimeters per year since the 1980s. Quentin Septer, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024 The problem has grown even more pronounced due to heavy rainfall overwhelming its pollution control systems. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 But more devastating fires could erupt if the parched soil does not receive enough rainfall in the crucial wetter months ahead, Dr. Alencar said. Manuela Andreoni, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 Now, almost the entire region is experiencing rainfall surpluses since the beginning of the year. A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 Heavy rainfall will also increase during the same timeframe, both within the damaging thunderstorms and for areas farther east outside of them. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Several areas in the Kansas City region saw close to an inch of rain from the storms that moved across the area Thursday and additional rainfall is expected Friday, between a tenth to half of an inch is possible. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 Urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected for Dallas, Kaufman and Rockwall counties until 10:15 a.m. Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024 According to the National Weather Service, the total amount of rainfall for the 2023–2024 water year stands at 17.79 inches, which is already more than 3.5 inches over average for the entire year. USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2024

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 19 Mar. 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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