rainwater

noun

rain·​wa·​ter ˈrān-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

: water fallen as rain that has not collected soluble matter from the soil and is therefore soft

Examples of rainwater in a Sentence

a bucket filled with rainwater

Recent Examples on the Web

When not in use, the beds would fill with rainwater, and bird enthusiasts went there to view shorebirds, waterfowl and other species that used the site as a stopover point during migration seasons. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026

Although the burn zone is upstream of the spot where flooding was most severe, the fire stripped away vegetation that might otherwise have slowed rainwater, said Tom Martin, who has researched the Grand Canyon for decades. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026

To find out, the team released 35-microliter water drops, about the size of a large raindrop, containing a pinch of salt to mimic rainwater, onto a surface tilted at 50 degrees. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026

Distilled water or rainwater are good sources of mineral-free, contaminant-free water for your flytrap. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rainwater

• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater
• granddaughter
• groundwater
• headwater

Kids Definition

rainwater

noun

rain·​wa·​ter -ˌwȯt-ər 

-ˌwät-

: water falling or fallen as rain

Biographical Definition

Rainwater

biographical name

Rain·​wa·​ter ˈrān-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

L(eo) James 1917–1986 American physicist