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
Additional locations may experience flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, high winds, or other factors.
—
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
Additional rainfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected below 4000 ft, highest in the foothills.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026
During periods of heavy rainfall, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas, the risk of flooding escalates.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
Farther north in the Bay Area, a powerful combination of abnormally high king tides, large swells caused by a storm hanging out in the eastern Pacific, and rainfall across the region has led to coastal flooding.
—Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rainfall
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Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Jan. 2026
Additional rainfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected below 4000 ft, highest in the foothills.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Jan. 2026
During periods of heavy rainfall, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas, the risk of flooding escalates.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
Farther north in the Bay Area, a powerful combination of abnormally high king tides, large swells caused by a storm hanging out in the eastern Pacific, and rainfall across the region has led to coastal flooding.
—Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rainfall
Cite this Entry
“Rainfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainfall. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
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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