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
During heavy rainfall, there is a risk of flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.
—
Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
Areas with poor plant growth, shallow roots, or standing water after rainfall may indicate compaction.
—Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Just weeks after reopening, flooding due to rainfall forced the mine to close yet again.
—Jay Gabler, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
Due to the quick-moving nature of these showers, rainfall amounts won't be high, generally totaling around a half an inch or less.
—Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rainfall
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Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
Areas with poor plant growth, shallow roots, or standing water after rainfall may indicate compaction.
—Nora Doonan, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Just weeks after reopening, flooding due to rainfall forced the mine to close yet again.
—Jay Gabler, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
Due to the quick-moving nature of these showers, rainfall amounts won't be high, generally totaling around a half an inch or less.
—Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 3 Apr. 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 5 Apr. 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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