rainy day

noun

: a period of want or need
saving for a rainy day
rainy-day adjective

Examples of rainy day in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If federal cuts are made, both Lamont and Looney said that lawmakers might be forced to dip into the state’s rainy day fund for fiscal emergencies in a worst-case scenario. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 Feb. 2025 For the occasion, Princess Charlene went classic, favoring a black and white colorway with her ensemble for the rainy day. Julia Teti, WWD, 29 Jan. 2025 Putin has already drawn down Russia’s rainy day funds by depleting its once-formidable foreign exchange reserves, and nobody is willing to fund Russian government deficits by buying unwanted Russian bonds. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025 This year’s plan also draws $7 billion from the rainy day fund, provoking criticism from Republicans worried about looming deficits in coming years. Lia Russell, Sacramento Bee, 18 Jan. 2025 Civil lawsuit reform, trans youth in sports and how to spend a $16.5 billion rainy day fund will top lawmakers' agendas this legislative session starting Monday at the Capitol. Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 13 Jan. 2025 Here is the reality of the Hogan surplus and the handoff to the Moore administration: Hogan left Moore $2.5 billion in the rainy day fund. Kevin Igoe, Baltimore Sun, 27 Jan. 2025 Connecticut’s rainy day fund held $1.2 billion when Lamont reassigned $381 million to maneuver around bond covenants and refinance the teachers’ pension. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025 Money, money, money: Georgia is sitting on $16.5 billion — that's with a big ole b — in rainy day and reserve funding, some of which could fund a state aid program for Hurricane Helene victims. Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rainy day was circa 1580

Dictionary Entries Near rainy day

Cite this Entry

“Rainy day.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainy%20day. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

rainy day

noun
: a period of need or want
set a little money aside for a rainy day
rainy-day adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on rainy day

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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