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
Some tracks use birdsong or rainfall as a gentle backdrop; others highlight environmental crises with soundscapes of forest fires – an issue that came to light this January in Los Angeles with the wildfires, for example.
—
Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Northern Mexico has received only one-third of its average rainfall this year, Larson said, which contributes to the dry environment ideal for dust storms.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
New shrubs, trees, and annuals often require daily watering for the first couple of weeks if there is no rainfall.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
Mayfield is part of a region in the Central and Southeastern U.S. experiencing more severe weather and extreme rainfall, which experts say is being driven in part by climate change.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rainfall
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Esha Chhabra, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Northern Mexico has received only one-third of its average rainfall this year, Larson said, which contributes to the dry environment ideal for dust storms.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
New shrubs, trees, and annuals often require daily watering for the first couple of weeks if there is no rainfall.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
Mayfield is part of a region in the Central and Southeastern U.S. experiencing more severe weather and extreme rainfall, which experts say is being driven in part by climate change.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 19 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 30 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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