rainforest

noun

rain·​for·​est ˈrān-ˌfȯr-əst 

-ˌfär-

variants or less commonly rain forest

plural rainforests also rain forests

1

: a tropical woodland with an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches (254 centimeters) and marked by lofty broad-leaved evergreen trees forming a continuous canopy

called also tropical rainforest

2

: temperate rainforest

Examples of rainforest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Inspired by the Amazon rainforest at dawn, this gender-neutral parfum layers white jungle florals, Brazilian orange oil, pink pepper, and grapefruit zest over grounding notes of bourbon, vetiver, musk, and patchouli. — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026

Some of the best moments happen over lunch with a local family, learning from the Maleku Indigenous community about their traditions and reforestation work, or simply sitting quietly in the rainforest listening to the wildlife. — Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2026

Because the Mexican burrowing toad lives in rainforest conditions with lots of trees and precipitation, the Los Angeles area likely had similar conditions when the amphibian occupied it, Cruz said. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026

The Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest, plays a critical role in regulating the climate far beyond South America. — ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rainforest

• temperate rainforest
• tropical rainforest

Rhymes for rainforest

• aorist
• deforest
• chorused
• forest
• sorest

Kids Definition

rain forest

noun

1

: an often tropical woodland with a high annual rainfall and very tall evergreen trees with tops forming a continuous layer

called also tropical rain forest

2

: temperate rain forest