rainwater

noun

rain·​wa·​ter ˈrān-ˌwȯ-tər How to pronounce rainwater (audio)
-ˌwä-
: water fallen as rain that has not collected soluble matter from the soil and is therefore soft

Examples of rainwater in a Sentence

a bucket filled with rainwater
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.
The permeable volcanic rock found throughout the region allows rainwater to seep beneath the surface and collect in large underground aquifers, which provide water to northern California communities. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025 That bed of gravel allows rainwater to soak into the ground, lessening runoff, and a paver walkway is a good way to handle a slope. Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2025 Meanwhile, video captured by NBC News' crew on the ground showed families across a tent encampment in Khan Younis trying to shovel and sweep dirty rainwater from their tents, while others gathered around a soup kitchen in the rain, holding out pots and pans and crying out for warm food. Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 3 Jan. 2025 Slumping or tilting trees or fence posts and small ponds of rainwater forming where water has not collected before can be warning signs, according to the USGS. Lori Comstock, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rainwater 

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rainwater was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near rainwater

rainwash

rainwater

Rainwater

Cite this Entry

“Rainwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainwater. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

rainwater

noun
rain·​wa·​ter -ˌwȯt-ər How to pronounce rainwater (audio)
-ˌwät-
: water falling or fallen as rain

Biographical Definition

Rainwater

biographical name

Rain·​wa·​ter ˈrān-ˌwȯ-tər How to pronounce Rainwater (audio)
-ˌwä-
L(eo) James 1917–1986 American physicist

More from Merriam-Webster on rainwater

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