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

• 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

In Shasta County, near the geographic top of California, McArthur-Burney State Park is known for its picturesque waterfalls, with rainbows rising through the mist when the sun shines just right. —David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025

During their nighttime surveys, researchers found several unfamiliar-looking lizards near a waterfall, the study said. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025

Visitors to Washington can lace up their hiking boots and trek through Mount Rainier National Park, visit Leavenworth, a Bavarian-theme town that’s extra cute in the fall, or see old-growth forests and waterfalls on the North Cascades Highway. —Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

What should have been an easy question quickly triggered a waterfall of questions. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

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
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol

Kids Definition

waterfall

noun

wa·​ter·​fall ˈwȯt-ər-ˌfȯl 

ˈwät-

: a fall of water usually from a great height