rainfall

noun

rain·​fall ˈrān-ˌfȯl 

1

: the amount of precipitation usually measured by the depth in inches

2

: rain sense 2a

Synonyms of rainfall

• rain

Examples of rainfall in a Sentence

This area has an average annual rainfall of 12 inches.

an increase in annual rainfall

Recent Examples on the Web

The rainfall showers are glass, lending the feel of an outdoor shower. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

If Isaias makes landfall as expected, the storm will likely bring strong gusts and heavy rainfall, with the potential for flash flooding and dangerous storm surge, says Jennifer Tate, a meteorologist at NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026

Fall is usually a drier period, but this year, odds are leaning toward above-average rainfall. — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026

Record rainfall turns into a visual spectacle Between July and August, Chile recorded record rainfall in several regions, with some levels never seen since measurements began in the 1950s. — Nayara Batschke, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rainfall

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale

Kids Definition

rainfall

noun

rain·​fall -ˌfȯl 

1

: a fall of rain

2

: amount of precipitation

an annual rainfall of 20 inches