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

According to a study published today in Scientific Reports, the tiny shellear fish (Parakneria thysi) will spend hours crawling up a waterfall’s cliffside to reach better habitats. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Apr. 2026

Zigzagging through the Norwegian fjords and pulling into this tiny town, with straight-up-and-down mountains and waterfalls all around you, is just… wow. —Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026

In this photo released by Precision Helicopters Ltd, Molly peers out of the door of a helicopter after her rescue from a waterfall on the Arahura River on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. —CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026

Issa has taken refuge in a shepherd's hut in the forest, near a waterfall. —Lauren Frayer, NPR, 1 Apr. 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
• 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