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

Crabtree Falls gets its name from not one, but five, cascading waterfalls that are found along this mountain trail. —Heather Bien, Southern Living, 28 June 2025

This wood waterfall design with a matte black finish and glass bottom shelf is really the best of both worlds. —Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2025

Even if your hotel supplies towels, these come in handy for South America’s waterfalls, hot springs, rafting, and snorkeling adventures. —Mariana Zapata, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2025

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the mesmerizing waterfall owned by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe cascades 268 feet over granite cliffs (far higher than Niagara Falls), attracting more visitors than anywhere else in the state other than majestic Mount Rainier. —Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 20 June 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