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.
To combat this, WWF-Pakistan engages the public and private sectors and communities to address action items like groundwater recharge to replenish underground stores, rainwater harvesting, water efficiency in agriculture and reusing wastewater. — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026 Cooking oil is recycled, water-harvesting technology is used to capture rainwater, and outdoor lighting is run on solar power. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Remove standing water from buckets, garbage cans, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any containers where rainwater or sprinkler water collects. — Joan Murray, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026 That was again thinking about how that work could mitigate this city problem of sewage runoff in rainwater. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 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
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