rainfall
Rainfall (noun) means the amount of rain that falls in a given place over a given period. Example: “Farmers measure the rainfall each month to plan when to plant their crops.”
noun
1
The amount of rain that falls in a given place over a given period.
"Farmers measure the rainfall each month to plan when to plant their crops."
"Annual rainfall in the region has dropped sharply over the past decade."
"Heavy rainfall caused flooding across the valley."
How to use rainfall
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow much rain falls somewhere, usually measured over a day, month, or year.
Common pairings
average rainfall
heavy rainfall
annual rainfall
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like rainfall.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- rainfalls
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Farmers measure the _____ each month to plan when to plant their crops.
Etymology
From "rain" + "fall" — literally the falling of rain, later used for the measured amount that falls.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “rainfall” mean?
The word “rainfall” means the amount of rain that falls in a given place over a given period. In plain terms, how much rain falls somewhere, usually measured over a day, month, or year.
How do you use “rainfall” in a sentence?
Here is “rainfall” used in a sentence: “Annual rainfall in the region has dropped sharply over the past decade.”
What part of speech is “rainfall”?
“Rainfall” is a noun.
Is “rainfall” a common word?
“Rainfall” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between rainfall and precipitation?
Rainfall specifically refers to the amount of rain that falls in a given place over a given period, while precipitation is a broader term that also includes snow, sleet, and hail. All rainfall is precipitation, but not all precipitation is rainfall.
How is rainfall measured?
Rainfall is typically measured as the depth of water that accumulates over a flat surface in a given period, usually recorded in millimeters or inches using a rain gauge.
