rainforest

noun

rain·​for·​est ˈrān-ˌfȯr-əst How to pronounce rainforest (audio)
-ˌfär-
variants or less commonly rain forest
plural rainforests also rain forests
1
: a tropical woodland with an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches (254 centimeters) and marked by lofty broad-leaved evergreen trees forming a continuous canopy

called also tropical rainforest

2
: temperate rainforest

Examples of rainforest 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.
Workers erected a stage in the middle of the rainforest. — John Otis, NPR, 21 June 2026 The new species was found in the jungles on Malaysia's part of Borneo, a large island known for its biodiverse rainforests. — CBS News, 19 June 2026 With its serene turquoise waters, emerald rivers and lush rainforests, the region has unsurprisingly become an epicenter of wellness tourism. — Sandra Guzmán, USA Today, 18 June 2026 Scientists recently discovered that this trap was the work of a spider from the rainforest of North Queensland. — Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rainforest

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rainforest was in 1900

Phrases Containing rainforest

Rhymes for rainforest

See All Rhymes for rainforest

Browse Nearby Words

rainfall
rainforest
rainfowl
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rainforest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainforest. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rain forest

noun
1
: an often tropical woodland with a high annual rainfall and very tall evergreen trees with tops forming a continuous layer

called also tropical rain forest

2
: temperate rain forest

More from Merriam-Webster on rainforest

Nglish: Translation of rainforest for Spanish Speakers

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