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.
Although the burn zone is upstream of the spot where flooding was most severe, the fire stripped away vegetation that might otherwise have slowed rainwater, said Tom Martin, who has researched the Grand Canyon for decades. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026 To find out, the team released 35-microliter water drops, about the size of a large raindrop, containing a pinch of salt to mimic rainwater, onto a surface tilted at 50 degrees. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 Distilled water or rainwater are good sources of mineral-free, contaminant-free water for your flytrap. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2026 Remaining construction includes a major upgrade to the underground pumping system to better handle rainwater. — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for rainwater

See All Rhymes for rainwater

Browse Nearby Words

rainwash
rainwater
Rainwater
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rainwater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainwater. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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