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downpour

American  
[doun-pawr, -pohr] / ˈdaʊnˌpɔr, -ˌpoʊr /

noun

  1. a heavy, drenching rain.


downpour British  
/ ˈdaʊnˌpɔː /

noun

  1. a heavy continuous fall of rain

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of downpour

First recorded in 1805–15; down 1 + pour

Explanation

A downpour is a rainstorm, especially a very heavy one. If you get caught unexpectedly in a downpour, you'll wish you brought an umbrella. A downpour is exactly what it sounds like: torrential, pouring rain. A downpour, even one that's brief, can cause flooding in streets and basements. In some parts of the world, there are whole seasons that regularly bring downpours, while other places experience droughts so severe that people wish for a downpour. The word has been in use since the mid-19th century.

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Vocabulary lists containing downpour

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.

Downpour and Inferno are states that people drive between pensioning their senators and whitegoods.

From New York Times • Apr. 15, 2022

Downpour Interactive and BigBox VR are among the other companies bought up by Facebook in 2021.

From Washington Times • Oct. 22, 2021

Both Downpour Interactive and BigBox VR are responsible for virtual reality games.

From Washington Times • Oct. 22, 2021

Downpour at Old Trafford but plenty of Blackpool fans milling around already.

From BBC • May 22, 2011