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rainout

American  
[reyn-out] / ˈreɪnˌaʊt /
Or rain-out

noun

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

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


rainout British  
/ ˈreɪnˌaʊt /

noun

  1. 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

Etymology

Origin of rainout

1945–50, noun use of verb phrase rain out

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Open, her legions of Filipino fans energizing the entire tournament, even a Monday rainout final.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 6, 2026

The Dodgers already had one rainout during this East Coast road trip.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 21, 2026

Two days, three wins and 18 runs from a once-slumping lineup later, it’s hard to not see the rainout now as a blessing in disguise.

From Los Angeles Times May 29, 2024

Boston won the series opener 15-5, and then took Sunday’s day game 6-2 in a makeup of Saturday’s rainout.

From Washington Times Jun. 19, 2023

“It’ll be a rainout, or something. I’ll be fine.”

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

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