stormwater
noun
storm·wa·ter
ˈstȯrm-ˌwȯ-tər 
-ˌwä-
: rainwater produced by a storm
a stormwater management system
As stormwater runs over lawns, streets and other man-made surfaces, it picks up pollutants—phosphorous and nitrogen from fertilizers, bacteria from pet waste and road salt, to name a few—and carries them into local streams and lakes.—
Delen Goldberg
Delen GoldbergThis rainfall "of biblical proportions," as the local newspaper described it, swamped the city in waist-high stormwater.—Christopher Cooper and Robert Block
Christopher Cooper and Robert BlockExamples of stormwater in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The city began collecting that fee through municipal stormwater bills earlier this year.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025
Urban trees can reduce runoff by as much as 26 percent because their canopies intercept rainfall and their roots help absorb it, saving cities millions annually in stormwater mitigation and environmental impact costs.
—Laura Mallonee, Wired News, 12 Apr. 2025
Homestead lost funding for its project to keep its stormwater pump stations functioning in floods or power outages, said city manager Zerry Ihekwaba.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025
The basin, meant to collect stormwater and prevent flooding, drew opposition as it was positioned alongside the school’s playground.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
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Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2025
Urban trees can reduce runoff by as much as 26 percent because their canopies intercept rainfall and their roots help absorb it, saving cities millions annually in stormwater mitigation and environmental impact costs.
—Laura Mallonee, Wired News, 12 Apr. 2025
Homestead lost funding for its project to keep its stormwater pump stations functioning in floods or power outages, said city manager Zerry Ihekwaba.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025
The basin, meant to collect stormwater and prevent flooding, drew opposition as it was positioned alongside the school’s playground.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stormwater
Cite this Entry
“Stormwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stormwater. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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