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

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

County, the weather service predicts total rainfall of 0.75 to 1.5 inches in coastal and valley areas and from 2 to 4 inches in foothill and mountain areas.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A “winter-like” storm will sweep across Southern California late Monday into Wednesday, bringing the chance of “significant” rainfall, the National Weather Service said Sunday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And during this delayed tail end of monsoon, they have recorded at least one episode of extreme rainfall almost every year for the past decade, with mountain weather becoming dangerous.

Read more on BBC

In a post on X, the weather service predicted that the rainfall will be “widespread and beneficial,” with little flooding anticipated.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday caused rivers to burst their banks.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• moisture 
• rain 
• shower