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

• cascade
• cataract
• fall(s)

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

There’s a new waterfall public-art display being planned for the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. —Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2025

Photo : Pierre Galant Photography A waterfall draws wildlife to the property. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2025

Aries travelers will be drawn to Maui’s pristine scuba diving, hikes to cascading waterfalls, and the breathtaking ascent around the sacred Haleakala volcano. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025

Let yourself be carried away by the flowers, the butterflies, the parakeets, the huge koi in the pond with a waterfall, and even the horses, because Patch of Heaven Sanctuary has a magnificent stable. —Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025

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