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 evidence that human-caused climate change is changing heat waves, heavy rainfall events, droughts, hurricanes, and wildfires has grown.”

From Los Angeles Times

In Southern California, the weather service issued a flood watch for Death Valley National Park, the eastern and western Mojave Desert and Morongo Basin warning of moderate to heavy rainfall.

From Los Angeles Times

Disaster management authorities in the suburb, which is located on the outskirts of capital Delhi, have advised offices, schools and colleges to work from home on Tuesday as more rainfall is predicted.

From BBC

There is quite a lot of rainfall in the forecast this week and into the start of next and it will remain quite blustery with the potential for localised gales on Wednesday.

From BBC

Although other weather-related effects are also taken into account, like heavy rainfall or snow which may lead to flooding or travel disruption.

From BBC

Related Words

• moisture 
• rain 
• shower