rainwater
noun
water fallen as rain.
rainwater
1 American
[reyn-waw-ter, -wot-er]
/ ˈreɪnˌwɔ tər, -ˌwɒt ər /
noun
Rainwater
2
American
[reyn-waw-ter, -wot-er]
/ ˈreɪnˌwɔ tər, -ˌwɒt ər /
noun
rainwater
British
/ ˈreɪnˌwɔːtə /
noun
Etymology
Origin of rainwater
before 1000; Middle English rein water, Old English regn-wæter; see rain, water
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As concern over health impacts grew in communities, the military spent about AU$1.3 billion treating 13 billion litres of water and supplying alternative sources to 785 properties, including bottled drinking water and rainwater tanks.
From Barron's • May 28, 2026
Here by the water’s edge, she nibbles on seeds and drinks rainwater, retreating to the house to sleep at night.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
He avoids bottled water due to microplastics and has set up an elaborate system to catch rainwater from the house roof.
From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026
With no rainwater to dilute the sewage it is particularly concentrated - this is an illegal practice.
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
It is almost filled with rainwater, the dark surface rippling in the breeze.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
