downpour

noun

down·​pour ˈdau̇n-ˌpȯr How to pronounce downpour (audio)
: a pouring or streaming downward
especially : a heavy rain

Examples of downpour in a Sentence

the downpour was so heavy that we were soaked by the time we got to the car
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Here’s your guide from the NWS to staying safe during downpours: Beware of swollen waterways: Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away. Bay Area Weather Report, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2025 And even more pressing, the officials warned in a Feb. 14 letter obtained by ProPublica, Vietnam is on the verge of its rainy season, when torrential downpours are common. Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 17 Mar. 2025 The San Francisco Bay Area is bracing for heavy winds and downpours, with waterspouts possible offshore. Priya Shukla, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 Los Angeles County Thunderstorms are possible across the area through Thursday afternoon, March 13, potentially bringing flooding, gusty winds, heavy downpours, hail and even a small tornado. Nathaniel Percy, Orange County Register, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for downpour

Word History

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of downpour was in 1801

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Downpour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downpour. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

downpour

noun
down·​pour -ˌpōr How to pronounce downpour (audio)
-ˌpȯr
: a heavy rain

More from Merriam-Webster on downpour

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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