1
: an arc or circle that exhibits in concentric bands the colors of the spectrum and that is formed opposite the sun by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays in raindrops, spray, or mist
2
a
: a multicolored array
b
: a wide assortment or range
a rainbow of flavors
3
[from the impossibility of reaching the rainbow, at whose foot a pot of gold is said to be buried]
: an illusory goal or hope
4
1
: having many colors
2
: of, relating to, or being people of different races (see race entry 1 sense 1a) or cultural backgrounds
a rainbow coalition
Examples of rainbow in a Sentence
Adjective
the rainbow costumes worn by mummers at Mardi Gras
Recent Examples on the Web
Bryan West,
USA Today,
4 July 2026
There's a full rainbow of primal prints to explore, like this flowing calf-print caftan from Moroccan designer Fadila El Gadi.
—
Katherine J Igoe,
InStyle,
2 July 2026
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
The numbers on the backs of player jerseys were rainbow, and there were constantly pride/rainbow graphics popping up on the jumbotron.
—
Joe Kinsey Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rainbow
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Noun
When the rain cleared, a rainbow arched above the New York skyline.
—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
4 July 2026
There's a full rainbow of primal prints to explore, like this flowing calf-print caftan from Moroccan designer Fadila El Gadi.
—
Katherine J Igoe,
InStyle,
2 July 2026
Adjective
Players whose teams wore Pride Night caps had the option to wear their everyday, non-rainbow hats.
—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
The numbers on the backs of player jerseys were rainbow, and there were constantly pride/rainbow graphics popping up on the jumbotron.
—
Joe Kinsey Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for rainbow
Cite this Entry
“Rainbow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainbow. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
rainbow
noun
rain·bow
ˈrān-ˌbō 
slang
: a combination of the sodium derivatives of amobarbital and secobarbital in a blue and red capsule
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