rainmaker

[ reyn-mey-ker ]

noun

1. (among American Indians) a medicine man who by various rituals and incantations seeks to cause rain.
2. a person who induces rainfall by using various scientific techniques, as the seeding of clouds with silver iodide crystals from an airplane.
3. Slang. an executive or lawyer with exceptional ability to attract clients, use political connections, increase profits, etc.:

   The president has several rainmakers among his advisers.

rainmaker

/ ˈreɪnˌmeɪkə /

noun

1. (among Native Americans) a professional practitioner of ritual incantations or other actions intended to cause rain to fall
2. informal.
   an influential employee who creates a great deal of business or revenue for his or her firm

Derived Forms

• ˈrainˌmaking, noun

Other Words From

• rainmaking noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rainmaker¹

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75; rain + maker

Example Sentences

Lawyers of all seniority, including the so-called rainmakers, now sit in offices of similar size with uniform furniture.

From New York Times

In some areas, the storm proved to be a rainmaker more prolific than even experienced meteorologists had anticipated.

From Los Angeles Times

In the minds of many Californians, El Niño has long loomed as a rainmaker of epic proportions.

From Los Angeles Times

Scattered showers will continue across Western Washington Friday morning, gradually drifting to the mountains before the next rainmaker arrives by the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

From Seattle Times

The region won’t entirely clear out of the clouds, but there will likely be some breaks of sun before the next rainmaker arrives Thursday afternoon, the weather service said.

From Seattle Times