monsoon

noun

mon·​soon män-ˈsün 

ˈmän-ˌsün

1

: a periodic wind especially in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia

2

: the season of the southwest monsoon in India and adjacent areas that is characterized by very heavy rainfall

3

: rainfall that is associated with the monsoon

monsoonal

män-ˈsü-nᵊl 

ˈmän-ˌsü-

adjective

Examples of monsoon in a Sentence

floods caused by summer monsoons

Recent Examples on the Web

In Thailand Although Thailand is an all-year-round destination, its monsoon season typically occurs from June to October, bringing heavier rains, especially on the Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi). —Roger Sands, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025

From fish heads to pigs feet, all kinds of flesh and fruit at a Miami Gardens supermarket got sent to the garbage when state inspectors unleashed a monsoon of Stop Sale Orders during a visit this week. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2025

It’s been, like, two episodes, and already, he’s sucked up all the energy on this Deal or No Deal island, turning what promised to be a silly, relaxing vacation into a monsoon of chaos. —Laura Bradley, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025

Despite an active June, the monsoon underperformed. —Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

obsolete Dutch monssoen, from Portuguese monção, from Arabic mawsim time, season

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for monsoon

• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• harpoon
• immune
• impugn

Kids Definition

monsoon

noun

mon·​soon män-ˈsün 

1

: a periodic wind in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia

2

: the rainy season that accompanies the southwest monsoon

3

: rainfall that is associated with the monsoon season