show·er
ˈshau̇(-ə)r 
1
a
: a fall of rain of short duration
b
: a similar fall of sleet, hail, or snow
2
: something resembling a rain shower
a shower of statistics
especially
: a fall of meteors which belong to a single group and whose trails appear to originate at the same point in space
3
: a party given by friends who bring gifts often of a particular kind
a bridal shower
4
: a bath in which water is showered on the body
also
: the apparatus that provides a shower
showered; showering; showers
1
: to rain or fall in or as if in a shower
letters showered on him in praise and protest
2
: to bathe in a shower
1
a
: to wet (as with water) in a spray, fine stream, or drops
b(1)
: to cause to fall in a shower
factory chimneys showered soot on the district
(2)
: to cause a shower to fall on
showered the newlyweds with rice
2
: to give in abundance
showered her with honors
Synonyms
Examples of shower in a Sentence
Verb
Please shower before using the pool.
Sparks from the machine showered onto the floor of the garage.
Rice showered down on the newlyweds as they left the church.
Recent Examples on the Web
Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024
Express forecast Today: Mix of clouds and sun, stray shower.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Along with a 36-foot-long pool and several plush daybeds for poolside lounging, there’s a shower space, a dedicated gym, and a meditation area.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
What other amenities are offered? ▪ More than half a dozen flat screen TVs tuned to various networks such as CNBC, ESPN and the Weather Channel
▪ Two showers.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
California’s wildflower blooms are less than super this season
Winter showers can bring an abundance of spring wild flowers.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
On Thursday evening, a late afternoon shower caused a roughly 20-minute delay for some outdoor shows.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
This scent will surely make the man in your life happy to spritz himself with a bit of freshness after his shower.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
Expect clouds to increase overnight, and pre-dawn showers are possible.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
At the time, the older woman was looking after Hartnett’s father, who had kidney disease and needed help with daily activities such as showering and going to the bathroom.
—Judith Graham, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
Light fixtures came in second (52%), faucets and shower heads in third place (49%), lawn and garden supplies in fourth (43%), and building materials in fifth (43%).
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
Better Homes & Gardens Rustproof Double Shower Curtain Hooks
$10
Water can quickly rust metal, which is why these rustproof shower curtain hooks are a must for your bathroom.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2024
Try getting a forkful of golden cheese, juicy citrus, punchy jalapeno, and raw shallot, all showered in herbs.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appétit, 28 Mar. 2024
Of course, the fans responded by showering the team in applause.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Fans were quick to shower Tisdale with congratulations in the post’s replies, with many pointing out the coincidence of the Suite Life of Zack & Cody alum expecting a baby at the same time as her HSM costar, Vanessa Hudgens.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2024
There are also shower rooms which are particularly important for travelers facing a long journey with everything necessary to emerge feeling ready to take on your next flight.
—Michele Robson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
Thursday night Showers and possible thunderstorm before 9 p.m. Chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024
Express forecast Today: Mix of clouds and sun, stray shower.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Along with a 36-foot-long pool and several plush daybeds for poolside lounging, there’s a shower space, a dedicated gym, and a meditation area.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2024
What other amenities are offered? ▪ More than half a dozen flat screen TVs tuned to various networks such as CNBC, ESPN and the Weather Channel
▪ Two showers.
—Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024
California’s wildflower blooms are less than super this season
Winter showers can bring an abundance of spring wild flowers.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024
On Thursday evening, a late afternoon shower caused a roughly 20-minute delay for some outdoor shows.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
This scent will surely make the man in your life happy to spritz himself with a bit of freshness after his shower.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
Expect clouds to increase overnight, and pre-dawn showers are possible.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
Verb
Travis Kelce is showering his big brother with love on National Siblings Day.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
At the time, the older woman was looking after Hartnett’s father, who had kidney disease and needed help with daily activities such as showering and going to the bathroom.
—Judith Graham, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
Light fixtures came in second (52%), faucets and shower heads in third place (49%), lawn and garden supplies in fourth (43%), and building materials in fifth (43%).
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
Better Homes & Gardens Rustproof Double Shower Curtain Hooks
$10
Water can quickly rust metal, which is why these rustproof shower curtain hooks are a must for your bathroom.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2024
Try getting a forkful of golden cheese, juicy citrus, punchy jalapeno, and raw shallot, all showered in herbs.
—Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appétit, 28 Mar. 2024
Of course, the fans responded by showering the team in applause.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024
Fans were quick to shower Tisdale with congratulations in the post’s replies, with many pointing out the coincidence of the Suite Life of Zack & Cody alum expecting a baby at the same time as her HSM costar, Vanessa Hudgens.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2024
There are also shower rooms which are particularly important for travelers facing a long journey with everything necessary to emerge feeling ready to take on your next flight.
—Michele Robson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shower.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English shour, from Old English scūr; akin to Old High German scūr shower, storm, Latin caurus northwest wind
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun (2)
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of shower was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing shower
Dictionary Entries Near shower
Cite this Entry
“Shower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shower. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
shower
1 of 2 noun
show·er
ˈshau̇(-ə)r
1
a
: a short fall of rain over a small area
b
: a similar fall of sleet, hail, or snow
2
: something resembling a shower
a shower of sparks
3
: a party where gifts are given especially to a bride or pregnant woman
4
: a bath in which water is sprayed on a person
also
: a device for providing such a bath
shower
2 of 2 verb1
: to rain or fall in or as if in a shower
2
: to bathe in a shower
3
: to wet with fine spray or drops
4
: to provide in great quantity
showered them with attention
More from Merriam-Webster on shower
Nglish: Translation of shower for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of shower for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shower
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share