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

The Sheraton Belitung is built with handmade clay bricks and renggadai wood, and uses rainwater and solar energy. — Claire Turrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

Much of the Sacramento Valley depends on a network of levees, dams and bypasses to handle both large volumes of rainwater and extra releases from the many reservoirs in the mountains and foothills. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Cole dug rainwater swales, installed a woodstove, and planted vegetables. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

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

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