waterfall

noun

wa·​ter·​fall ˈwȯ-tər-ˌfȯl 

ˈwä-

1

a

: a perpendicular or very steep descent of the water of a stream

b

: an artificial waterfall (as in a hotel lobby or a nightclub)

2

: something resembling a waterfall

Synonyms of waterfall

• cascade

Examples of waterfall in a Sentence

I used to like to throw sticks in the stream and watch them go over the waterfall.

Recent Examples on the Web

Magnificent provincial parks, like Englishmen River Falls and Elk Falls, offer free entry for hiking and chasing waterfalls. — Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2026

Explore its waterfalls, glaciers and volcanic landscapes, and treat any aurora sightings as an extraordinary bonus. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

It will be built near the road leading to Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. — News Desk, Artforum, 16 Oct. 2026

At Iguazu Falls, the waterfalls on Argentina’s border with Brazil, park authorities have closed the walkway to the Devil’s Throat, the largest and most dramatic of the cascades, because of the high Iguazú River. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for waterfall

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol

Kids Definition

waterfall

noun

wa·​ter·​fall ˈwȯt-ər-ˌfȯl 

ˈwät-

: a fall of water usually from a great height