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

The speed of movement of storms seems to be slowing down too with the potential to give more rainfall, as we also saw with Hurricane Melissa.

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Intense rainfall began on the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Wednesday.

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Sri Lanka is currently experiencing the northeast monsoon season, but rainfall has intensified due to the cyclone, it added.

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Climate change also has impacted storm patterns, including the duration and intensity of the season, leading to heavier rainfall, flash flooding and stronger wind gusts.

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The National Drought Group met at the end of October where the Environment Agency suggested that England needs at least 100% of average rainfall up to the end of March to largely recover from drought.

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Related Words

• moisture 
• rain 
• shower