rainwater

noun

rain·​wa·​ter ˈrān-ˌwȯ-tər 

-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

Still, archaeologists did find evidence that there was a different system for collecting rainwater, which was here directed to a well via a channel. —Alex Greenberger For Artnews, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024

Traditionally, grand residences featured rooms surrounding a central, open-air space that housed a basin for collecting rainwater. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024

The rainwater goes from the roof to a gutter and through a small-screen filter to a 300-gallon IBC (intermediate builk container) tank. —Tasha Zemke, Outside Online, 24 Oct. 2024

This all causes the tides to pick up, pulling ocean water onto land (called a storm surge), which combines with excess rainwater. —Julia Ries, SELF, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rainwater

noun

rain·​wa·​ter -ˌwȯt-ər 

-ˌwät-

: water falling or fallen as rain

Biographical Definition

Rainwater

biographical name

Rain·​wa·​ter ˈrān-ˌwȯ-tər 

-ˌwä-

L(eo) James 1917–1986 American physicist