waterfall

noun

wa·​ter·​fall ˈwȯ-tər-ˌfȯl 

ˈwä-

1

a

: a perpendicular or very steep descent of the water of a stream

b

: an artificial waterfall (as in a hotel lobby or a nightclub)

2

: something resembling a waterfall

Synonyms of waterfall

• cascade

Examples of waterfall in a Sentence

I used to like to throw sticks in the stream and watch them go over the waterfall.

Recent Examples on the Web

The team raves about the hotel’s water pressure, and the waterfall shower lives up to the hype. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026

Witnesses told authorities the man had jumped from the waterfall into the water below. —Michelle Cruz, AZCentral.com, 25 Mar. 2026

Pink noise is considered balanced and consistent (think of a far-off waterfall) though not as mid-range as green noise. —Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026

The recent rains mean the islands’ famed waterfalls are flowing full force. —Jen Murphy, Outside, 24 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for waterfall

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol

Kids Definition

waterfall

noun

wa·​ter·​fall ˈwȯt-ər-ˌfȯl 

ˈwät-

: a fall of water usually from a great height