rainout

or rain-out

[ reyn-out ]

/ ˈreɪnˌaʊt /

noun

a contest, performance, or the like, that has been rained out.

Also called washout. the removal of radioactive particles or other foreign substances from the atmosphere by precipitation.

Nearby words

rainier iii, rainier, mount, raining cats and dogs, rainmaker, rainmaking, rainout, rainproof, rains, rainspout, rainsquall, rainstorm

Compare fallout.

Origin of rainout

1945–50, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase rain out

Definition for rain-out (2 of 2)

rain

[ reyn ]

/ reɪn /

noun

water that is condensed from the aqueous vapor in the atmosphere and falls to earth in drops more than 1/50 inch (0.5 mm) in diameter.Compare drizzle(def 6).

a rainfall, rainstorm, or shower: We had a light rain this afternoon.

rains, the rainy season; seasonal rainfall, as in India.

weather marked by steady or frequent rainfall: We had rain most of last summer.

a heavy and continuous descent or inflicting of anything: a rain of blows; a rain of vituperation.

verb (used without object)

(of rain) to fall (usually used impersonally with it as subject): It rained all night.

to fall like rain: Tears rained from their eyes.

to send down rain: The lightning flashed and the sky rained on us in torrents.

verb (used with object)

to send down in great quantities, as small pieces or objects: People on rooftops rained confetti on the parade.

to offer, bestow, or give in great quantity: to rain favors upon a person.

to deal, hurl, fire, etc., repeatedly: to rain blows on someone's head.

Verb Phrases

rain out, to cause, by raining, the cancellation or postponement of a sports event, performance, or the like: The double-header was rained out yesterday.

Origin of rain

before 900; (noun) Middle English rein; Old English regn, rēn, cognate with Dutch, German regen, Old Norse regn, Gothic rign; (v.) Middle English reinen, Old English regnian

SYNONYMS FOR rain

10 lavish, shower, pour.

Related forms

rain·less, adjectiverain·less·ness, noun

Can be confused

rain reign rein

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for rain-out (1 of 2)

rain

/ (reɪn) /

noun

precipitation from clouds in the form of drops of water, formed by the condensation of water vapour in the atmosphere
a fall of rain; shower
(in combination)a raindrop Related adjectives: hyetal, pluvious

a large quantity of anything falling rapidly or in quick successiona rain of abuse

rain or shine or come rain or shine

regardless of the weather
regardless of circumstances

right as rain British informal perfectly all right; perfectly fit

verb

(intr ; with it as subject) to be the case that rain is falling

(often with it as subject) to fall or cause to fall like rainthe lid flew off and popcorn rained on everyone

(tr) to bestow in large measureto rain abuse on someone

rain cats and dogs informal to rain heavily; pour

rained off cancelled or postponed on account of rain

US and Canadian term: rained out

Derived Forms

rainless, adjective

Word Origin for rain

Old English regn; related to Old Frisian rein, Old High German regan, Gothic rign

British Dictionary definitions for rain-out (2 of 2)

rainout

/ (ˈreɪnˌaʊt) /

noun

radioactive fallout or atmospheric pollution carried to the earth by 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

Science definitions for rain-out

rain

[ rān ]

Water that condenses from water vapor in the atmosphere and falls to Earth as separate drops from clouds. Rain forms primarily in three ways: at weather fronts, when the water vapor in the warmer mass of air cools and condenses; along mountain ranges, when a warm mass of air is forced to rise over a mountain and its water vapor cools and condenses; and by convection in hot climates, when the water vapor in suddenly rising masses of warm air cools and condenses. See also hydrologic cycle.

Idioms and Phrases with rain-out

rain

In addition to the idioms beginning with rain

rain cats and dogs
rain check
rain on one's parade
rain or shine
rain out
rainy day, a

also see:

come in out of the rain
it never rains but it pours
right as rain

rainout

or rain-out

noun

RELATED CONTENT

Nearby words

Origin of rainout

Definition for rain-out (2 of 2)

rain

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

Verb Phrases

Origin of rain

SYNONYMS FOR rain

Related forms

Can be confused

British Dictionary definitions for rain-out (1 of 2)

rain

noun

verb

Derived Forms

Word Origin for rain

British Dictionary definitions for rain-out (2 of 2)

rainout

noun

Science definitions for rain-out

rain

Idioms and Phrases with rain-out

rain