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

The Italian marble bathrooms have plush towels, Maison Francis Kurkdjian products, and (in all except the entry level rooms), both a deep soaking waterfall tub and separate shower. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026

Black-and-white Tegu lizard (Salvator merianae) Iguazu Falls, the waterfalls of the Iguazu River on the Brazil-Argentina border. —Christopher Harris, CBS News, 4 June 2026

The historic resort town of Zakopane anchors the Polish side, while Slovakia’s High Tatras deliver mountain lakes, waterfalls and flocks of sheep among rocky crests. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026

On the Slovakian side, the High Tatras deliver mountain lakes, waterfalls and flocks of sheep grazing among rocky crests. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 4 June 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