rain
water that is condensed from the aqueous vapor in the atmosphere and falls to earth in drops more than 0.02 inch (0.5 millimeters) in diameter.: Compare drizzle (def. 6).
rains, the rainy season; seasonal rainfall, as in India.
weather marked by steady or frequent rainfall: We had rain most of last summer.
a heavy and continuous descent or inflicting of anything: a rain of blows; a rain of vituperation.
(of rain) to fall (usually used impersonally with it as subject): It rained all night.
to fall like rain: Tears rained from their eyes.
to send down rain: The lightning flashed and the sky rained on us in torrents.
to send down in great quantities, as small pieces or objects: People on rooftops rained confetti on the parade.
to offer, bestow, or give in great quantity: to rain favors upon a person.
to deal, hurl, fire, etc., repeatedly: to rain blows on someone's head.
rain out, to cause, by raining, the cancellation or postponement of a sports event, performance, or the like: The double-header was rained out yesterday.
Idioms about rain
rain cats and dogs, Informal. to rain very heavily or steadily: We canceled our picnic because it rained cats and dogs.
Origin of rain
1Other words for rain
Other words from rain
- rainless, adjective
- rain·less·ness, noun
Words that may be confused with rain
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use rain in a sentence
Almost immediately after he finished his sentence, the first shots of teargas rained down.
A New Intifada? Israel’s Arab Citizen Uprising Spreads | Creede Newton | November 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt had rained all night and was still drizzling when I headed for the Hawthorne Race Course in suburban Cicero, Illinois.
He said a woman had given birth there, even as shells rained down nearby.
It had rained while we were inside and the air in the alley smelled almost fresh.
Stanley Booth on the Life and Hard Times of Blues Genius Furry Lewis | Stanley Booth | June 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTGlass bottles rained down on the police, as members of the EDL, including Robinson, gathered near the scene of the crime.
Exclusive: Tommy Robinson, a Prominent British Voice of Hate, Apologizes | Nico Hines | October 11, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Upon his knees then, he lingered, while I rained blow after blow upon his upturned face.
The Homesteader | Oscar MicheauxThe night was pitch-dark, it rained in torrents, there was mud and water everywhere, and the ground was too flat to drain.
The Philippine Islands | John ForemanWhy, one day when it rained, and we got under the same bridge, she just talked to her hoss all the time.
Alec Lloyd, Cowpuncher | Eleanor GatesSon of man, say to her: Thou art a land that is unclean, and not rained upon in the day of wrath.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousCards of invitation from the most distinguished personages rained down upon the fortunate veteran in profusion.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3) | Charles James Wills
British Dictionary definitions for rain
/ (reɪn) /
precipitation from clouds in the form of drops of water, formed by the condensation of water vapour in the atmosphere
a fall of rain; shower
(in combination): a raindrop Related adjectives: hyetal, pluvious
a large quantity of anything falling rapidly or in quick succession: a rain of abuse
rain or shine or come rain or shine
regardless of the weather
regardless of circumstances
right as rain British informal perfectly all right; perfectly fit
(intr ; with it as subject) to be the case that rain is falling
(often with it as subject) to fall or cause to fall like rain: the lid flew off and popcorn rained on everyone
(tr) to bestow in large measure: to rain abuse on someone
rain cats and dogs informal to rain heavily; pour
rained off cancelled or postponed on account of rain
Origin of rain
1- US and Canadian term: rained out
- See also rains
Derived forms of rain
- rainless, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for rain
[ rān ]
Water that condenses from water vapor in the atmosphere and falls to Earth as separate drops from clouds. Rain forms primarily in three ways: at weather fronts, when the water vapor in the warmer mass of air cools and condenses; along mountain ranges, when a warm mass of air is forced to rise over a mountain and its water vapor cools and condenses; and by convection in hot climates, when the water vapor in suddenly rising masses of warm air cools and condenses. See also hydrologic cycle.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with rain
In addition to the idioms beginning with rain
- rain cats and dogs
- rain check
- rain on one's parade
- rain or shine
- rain out
- rainy day, a
also see:
- come in out of the rain
- it never rains but it pours
- right as rain
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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