rainmaker

1 of 2

noun (1)

rain·​mak·​er ˈrān-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce rainmaker (audio)
1
: a person who produces or attempts to produce rain by artificial means
2
: a person (such as a partner in a law firm) who brings in new business
also : a person whose influence can initiate progress or ensure success
rainmaking
ˈrān-ˌmā-kiŋ How to pronounce rainmaker (audio)
noun

rainmaking

2 of 2

noun (2)

rain·​mak·​ing ˈrān-ˌmā-kiŋ How to pronounce rainmaking (audio)
: the act or process of attempting by some scientific or other artificial means to produce rain or to make rain fall earlier or in greater amounts than it would fall naturally

Examples of rainmaker 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.
Noun
For Lewis’s bond traders and salesmen, the phrase simply meant a rainmaker. — Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 25 Mar. 2026 By Sunday, clouds will begin to stream in ahead of our next rainmaker early next week. — Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026 Our next rainmaker comes Monday. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 28 May 2026 More and more often, exemptions to age limits are given to rainmakers. — Literary Hub, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rainmaker

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rainmaker was in 1775

Rhymes for rainmaker

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Browse Nearby Words

rain lily
rainmaker
rainmaking
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Cite this Entry

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

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Legal Definition

rainmaker

noun
rain·​mak·​er ˈrān-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce rainmaker (audio)
: a person (as a partner in a law firm) who brings in new business
rainmaking noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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