waterfall

American  

[waw-ter-fawl, wot-er-] / ˈwɔ tərˌfɔl, ˈwɒt ər- /

noun

• waterfalls
  plural

1. a steep fall or flow of water in a watercourse from a height, as over a precipice; cascade.

2. a manner of arranging women's hair, as in long, loose waves.

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adjective

1. noting or relating to a philosophy of product development and production that includes sequential stages, from conception and design through testing and implementation, resulting in one finalized version of the product: waterfall management;

   waterfall development;

   waterfall management;

   a waterfall model.

waterfall British  

/ ˈwɔːtəˌfɔːl /

noun

1. a cascade of falling water where there is a vertical or almost vertical step in a river

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• waterfalls
  plural

Etymology

Origin of waterfall

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English wætergefeall. See water, fall

Explanation

A natural area where a river or stream cascades over a high precipice and pours down is called a waterfall. If you like to go canoeing down the river, make sure you stop before you get to that waterfall! The word waterfall comes from its Old English precursor, wætergefeall. It's a beautifully simple description of exactly what a waterfall is — water that falls continuously from a height, either in a river's course or over the edge of an iceberg. Waterfalls are most common in steep mountain rivers, but there are many smaller waterfalls as well. The world's tallest waterfall, Angel Falls in Venezuela, is over 3,000 feet high.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

waterfall waterfalls

It had a waterfall in the lobby, a pool on the roof, valet parking and all sorts of other conveniences.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

"My garden, I always think is, is a haven of serenity and tranquillity for people," she said, adding that her favourite spot was the waterfall and pond.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

They described the feeling as standing under a waterfall of perpetual bad news.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 16, 2026

“Designed with a moody, sophisticated palette, the kitchen features top-of-the-line Cafe appliances, bespoke cabinetry, and a statement waterfall island, creating a space that feels both functional and artful.”

From MarketWatch ● May 21, 2026

Turning around, he saw behind him the waterfall over which he had plunged.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig

Kanisius and his master Umbu Ana Rara, 31, who is three years younger than him, live in the village of Tenggedu, whose turquoise waterfalls draw intrepid tourists looking for a "hidden tropical paradise".

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

Tourists still lined up to peer through them at city skylines and waterfalls.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026

A subrange of the Appalachian Mountains along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, the Smokies are known for hiking trails with waterfalls and scenic outlooks.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 11, 2026

This spring, just outside the dining room, Shahniani will add the Expoterrace, a relaxing patio with a fountain, waterfalls and lush plants inspired by Living with the Land at Epcot in Florida.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 15, 2026

The building had been completely drenched with water and the stairs had become little waterfalls.

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez