rain shadow

noun

: a region of reduced rainfall on the lee side of high mountains

Examples of rain shadow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While these months coincide with peak monsoon season in much of India, Ladakh’s position in the Himalayan rain shadow keeps it relatively dry. — Margot Bigg, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2026

This is partly thanks to the surrounding mountains, which create a rain shadow effect, reducing the precipitation in the area. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Mustang lies in the rain shadow of the nearby ranges, making its landscape a medley of mountain and desert. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026

Combined, that will produce mighty strong winds, rain, and the possibility of thunder and lightning for some areas of the region, while other covered in a rain shadow may stay relatively untouched. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rain shadow

• foreshadow
• caddo
• overshadow