rainfall

[ reyn-fawl ]

noun

1. a fall or shower of rain.
2. the amount of water falling in rain, snow, etc., within a given time and area, usually expressed as a hypothetical depth of coverage:

   a rainfall of 70 inches a year.

rainfall

/ ˈreɪnˌfɔːl /

noun

1. precipitation in the form of raindrops
2. meteorol the amount of precipitation in a specified place and time

rainfall

/ rān′fôl′ /

1. The quantity of water, usually expressed in millimeters or inches, that is precipitated in liquid form in a specified area and time interval. Rainfall is often considered to include solid precipitation such as snow, hail, and sleet as well.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rainfall¹

First recorded in 1840–50; rain + fall

Example Sentences

Scientists know that aerosols — both natural, as from volcanoes, and human-caused, as from pollution — can change a cloud’s thickness, ability to scatter sunlight or how much rainfall it produces.

From Science News

Climate change has boosted the cost of flood damage caused by heavy rainfall in the United States by $75 billion over the past three decades, accounting for about a third of total losses, Stanford University researchers say.

From Washington Post

Days of extreme rainfall — which have doubled in the Southeast as a consequence of warming — stymie septic systems.

From Washington Post

The heavy rainfall is related to a slow-moving cold front that will draw tropical moisture into the region, including some from Tropical Storm Eta in the Gulf of Mexico.

From Washington Post

Total rainfall from Wednesday through Thursday should run about one to three inches.

From Washington Post

The ancient Maya believed that the underworld of caves was home to gods that controlled rainfall and harvest bounties.

From The Daily Beast

The Golden State got slammed by record-low rainfall in 2013 and remains frighteningly dry despite a few recent storms.

From The Daily Beast

That state had its lowest rainfall (and its second-hottest weather) in recorded history in 2011.

From The Daily Beast

And in the last two years, rainfall, which averages 34 inches annually, has fallen at about half that rate.

From The Daily Beast

The nearest place with average rainfall is about 60 miles away.

From The Daily Beast

The heaviest rainfall usually occurs, however, during the summer.

From Project Gutenberg

Rainfall typically is abundant and well-distributed throughout the year.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the Gulf Stream, directly and indirectly, probably contributes more than half the rainfall about the Atlantic basin.

From Project Gutenberg

In general, the central parts of continents are likely to receive much less rainfall than their peripheral portions.

From Project Gutenberg

On this account the rainfall in countries placed under such conditions is commonly small.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• moisture
• rain
• shower