cloudburst

American  

[kloud-burst] / ˈklaʊdˌbɜrst /

noun

1. a sudden and very heavy rainfall.

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cloudburst British  

/ ˈklaʊdˌbɜːst /

noun

1. a heavy downpour

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Etymology

Origin of cloudburst

An Americanism dating back to 1810–20; cloud + burst

Explanation

A cloudburst is a sudden deluge of rain that sends you running for cover. If the sky looks ominous and gray in the morning, you may want to grab an umbrella in case there's a cloudburst later. A cloudburst is exactly what it sounds like: torrential rain that seems to burst from a saturated cloud. This American English word was coined in the early 19th century, modeled after the German Wolkenbruch, or "cloud break." Whenever the weather abruptly changes from not raining to a downpour of heavy rain, you can call it a cloudburst.

Example Sentences

"If we want to stay in this country, we have to" learn to prevent flooding, said Marian Booltink, crisis coordinator at the local flood management association, who is supervising Operation Cloudburst.

From Barron's • Nov. 7, 2025

Seattle’s Cloudburst Brewing has been crowned “The Brewery and Brewer of the Year” at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado, one of nation’s most prestigious beer honors.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 13, 2021

The plan, called Operation Cloudburst, made it all the way to President Eisenhower’s desk.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2017

On Sept. 17 and 24, Marshall Keys and Cloudburst will perform.

From Washington Post • Sep. 4, 2015

The dreamthinkspeak company presents this promenade production inspired mainly by Leonardo Da Vinci's drawing A Cloudburst of Material Possessions, an image of man's obsession with the material and mass-produced over the spiritual.

From The Guardian • Jan. 26, 2013