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

For nearly 40 years, the magnificent urban waterfall that sits at the heart of Greenville’s downtown was covered over by a four-lane highway bridge. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Social media put the storm’s effects on display, with videos of floodwaters leaving cars stranded on highways, stormwater runoff erupting onto city streets and waterfalls cascading onto the subway tracks at Penn Station. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2026

Step right off the property onto miles of scenic hiking and mountain biking trails, or ride the complimentary gondola down to historic downtown for instant access to iconic box-canyon treks, cascading waterfalls and world-class fly fishing. — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Ranch activities include hurtling through agility courses, swimming beneath a massive artificial waterfall and roaming sprawling fantasy playgrounds built expressly for their entertainment. — Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 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