rainmaker
noun
rain·mak·er
ˈrān-ˌmā-kər 
1
: a person who produces or attempts to produce rain by artificial means
2
: a person (such as a partner in a law firm) who brings in new business
also
: a person whose influence can initiate progress or ensure success
Examples of rainmaker in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, the behavior of a rainmaker at an organization might be seen as acceptable or par for the course in that specific climate or culture—but when examined by a broader public with critical thinking skills and without organizational biases, that behavior might be seen in a different light.
—
Christine Shen, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
After Gohlke wriggled away for an off-balance rainmaker, Kentucky’s coach, John Calipari, threw up his arms in exasperation.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) Another actor could've played Mark Hanna, the Wall Street rainmaker who mentored Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio).
—Jeff Labrecque, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2024
In some areas, the storm proved to be a rainmaker more prolific than even experienced meteorologists had anticipated.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2024
In the minds of many Californians, El Niño has long loomed as a rainmaker of epic proportions.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2023
This storm will be a prolific rainmaker, with the entire East Coast from Florida to Maine likely to see anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of rain.
—Kathryn Prociv, NBC News, 15 Dec. 2023
Live Coverage Feed 3 hours ago Sports Deal Glut Spawns a New Investment Bank
By
Cara Lombardo
, Senior reporter
Hollywood talent agency Creative Artists Agency and former Citigroup rainmaker Michael Klein are launching a new investment bank focused on sports, media and entertainment deals.
—WSJ, 13 Nov. 2023
Johnson, not known as a party rainmaker, has large financial shoes to fill.
—Annie Karni, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023
Christine Shen, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
After Gohlke wriggled away for an off-balance rainmaker, Kentucky’s coach, John Calipari, threw up his arms in exasperation.
—Billy Witz, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) Another actor could've played Mark Hanna, the Wall Street rainmaker who mentored Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio).
—Jeff Labrecque, EW.com, 22 Mar. 2024
In some areas, the storm proved to be a rainmaker more prolific than even experienced meteorologists had anticipated.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2024
In the minds of many Californians, El Niño has long loomed as a rainmaker of epic proportions.
—Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2023
This storm will be a prolific rainmaker, with the entire East Coast from Florida to Maine likely to see anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of rain.
—Kathryn Prociv, NBC News, 15 Dec. 2023
Live Coverage Feed 3 hours ago Sports Deal Glut Spawns a New Investment Bank
By
Cara Lombardo
, Senior reporter
Hollywood talent agency Creative Artists Agency and former Citigroup rainmaker Michael Klein are launching a new investment bank focused on sports, media and entertainment deals.
—WSJ, 13 Nov. 2023
Johnson, not known as a party rainmaker, has large financial shoes to fill.
—Annie Karni, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rainmaker.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rainmaker
Cite this Entry
“Rainmaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainmaker. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
rainmaker
noun
rain·mak·er
ˈrān-ˌmā-kər
: a person (as a partner in a law firm) who brings in new business
rainmaking
noun
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