rain gauge

noun

: an instrument for measuring the quantity of precipitation

Examples of rain gauge in a Sentence

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.
Radar and rain gauge analysis compiled by The Bee shows the moisture that streamed over Northern California on Thursday and Friday — sliding in from what was left of Tropical Storm Iselle — dropped more than an inch of rain on the high Sierra peaks. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 People have been informally betting on Mother Nature for more than 100 years, Pietruska said, dating to the 1880s when people in India would gamble on whether a rain gauge would overflow during a monsoon. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 To track rain intake, use a rain gauge and note the rainfall amounts in your garden journal. — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026 Get a rain gauge and supplement irrigation as spring rains slow over the summer months. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for rain gauge

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rain gauge was in 1769

Rhymes for rain gauge

See All Rhymes for rain gauge

Browse Nearby Words

rainful
rain gauge
rain glass
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rain gauge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rain%20gauge. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

rain gauge

noun
: an instrument for measuring rainfall

More from Merriam-Webster on rain gauge

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rain gauge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All