rainmaker

American  

[reyn-mey-ker] / ˈreɪnˌmeɪ kər /

noun

1. (among American Indians) a medicine man who by various rituals and incantations seeks to cause rain.

2. a person who induces rainfall by using various scientific techniques, as the seeding of clouds with silver iodide crystals from an airplane.

3. Slang. an executive or lawyer with exceptional ability to attract clients, use political connections, increase profits, etc..

   The president has several rainmakers among his advisers.

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rainmaker British  

/ ˈreɪnˌmeɪkə /

noun

1. (among Native Americans) a professional practitioner of ritual incantations or other actions intended to cause rain to fall

2. informal an influential employee who creates a great deal of business or revenue for his or her firm

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Other Word Forms

• rainmaking noun

Etymology

Origin of rainmaker

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75; rain + maker

Example Sentences

Sanberg wasn’t an Aspiration employee, but he served on its board and acted as a rainmaker.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the pressure is on immediately when Bruiser asks Rudy point-blank if he has what it takes to be a rainmaker for the firm.

From Los Angeles Times

Lawyers of all seniority, including the so-called rainmakers, now sit in offices of similar size with uniform furniture.

From New York Times

In some areas, the storm proved to be a rainmaker more prolific than even experienced meteorologists had anticipated.

From Los Angeles Times

In the minds of many Californians, El Niño has long loomed as a rainmaker of epic proportions.

From Los Angeles Times