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 hotel’s most unusual feature is its feng shui Japanese Zen garden, complete with an azumaya (open tea house) and cascading waterfall. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

There’s also a series of breathtaking waterfalls in the park. — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026

This Victoria Falls masterpiece is, as its name suggests, modeled on the rich colors of one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls, which sits on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe where the Zambezi River plunges over a basalt cliff. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026

Get up close to the Grand Sault waterfall on the eponymous trail in Mont-Saint-Joseph Regional Park. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 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