1
: the amount of precipitation usually measured by the depth in inches
2
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
In addition to strong winds, hail and tornadoes, the severe weather system dropped potentially record rainfall in areas unaccustomed to flooding.
—
Jade Walker, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
Clark said the more recent atmospheric river that dumped record rainfall across multiple states did not reach the level of the 1937 storm, but the system was more widespread than the one in 1937.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
The weather service issued a hazardous weather outlook for the region Monday morning that said some thunderstorms could contain gusty winds and heavy rainfall.
—Andrew Dys, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2025
By the numbers: Hourly rainfall intensity increased 15% in D.C. between 1970 and 2024, per a new report from Climate Central, a research and communications group.
—Mimi Montgomery, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rainfall
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Jade Walker, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
Clark said the more recent atmospheric river that dumped record rainfall across multiple states did not reach the level of the 1937 storm, but the system was more widespread than the one in 1937.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
The weather service issued a hazardous weather outlook for the region Monday morning that said some thunderstorms could contain gusty winds and heavy rainfall.
—Andrew Dys, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2025
By the numbers: Hourly rainfall intensity increased 15% in D.C. between 1970 and 2024, per a new report from Climate Central, a research and communications group.
—Mimi Montgomery, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rainfall
Cite this Entry
“Rainfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainfall. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rainfall
noun
rain·fall
-ˌfȯl 
1
: a fall of rain
2
: amount of precipitation
an annual rainfall of 20 inches
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