rainfall

noun

ˈrān-ˌfȯl How to pronounce rainfall (audio)
Definition of rainfallnext
as in rain
a steady falling of water from the sky in significant quantity a torrential rainfall washed away most of the little sprouts in our vegetable garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rainfall That means plenty of sunshine, light winds and little opportunity for significant rainfall. — CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 While Sacramento will escape any serious rainfall on Halloween, the same cannot be said for San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Los Angeles and the Sierra. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Possible rainfall rates in parts of the Southwest could reach 2 inches per hour later Sunday. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 Forecasters said El Niño, the weather pattern warming parts of the Pacific, was likely to blame for the latest storm’s unusually heavy rainfall. — Anna Wilder, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rainfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rainfall
rain
Noun
  • Strangely, however, does tend to move a little bit more in the rain, Woods says.
    — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In the days leading up to the wedding, there was a stretch of rain, but thankfully, the skies cleared just in time for the celebrations.
    — Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of rain

Browse Nearby Words

rained cats and dogs
rainfall
rainfalls
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Cite this Entry

“Rainfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rainfall. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rainfall

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rainfall

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