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Synonyms

rainstorm

American  
[reyn-stawrm] / ˈreɪnˌstɔrm /

noun

  1. a storm with heavy rain.

rainstorm British  
/ ˈreɪnˌstɔːm /

noun

  1. a storm with heavy rain

"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

Etymology

Origin of rainstorm

First recorded in 1810–20; rain + storm

Explanation

When clouds roll in and drops of water start to pour from the sky, it's a rainstorm. If the weather report predicts a rainstorm, you'd better grab your umbrella! You could also call a rainstorm a downpour or a cloudburst — it's a weather event involving heavier rain than a rain shower or drizzle. Certain unstable air conditions sometimes cause a rainstorm to turn into a thunderstorm. A farmer in the midst of a dry, hot summer is likely hoping for a rainstorm, but if you're excited about an outdoor family reunion next weekend, a rainstorm in the forecast will be very disappointing.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Some homes were ripped off their foundations after an overnight rainstorm, said Ian Scheuring, a spokesman for the city and county of Honolulu.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Fresh downpours have brought more flooding, landslides and fear to southeastern Brazil where rescuers were still looking for 14 missing people Thursday after a rainstorm that left 54 people dead.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

On a gray November Sunday, a handful of female customers braved a rainstorm to browse the racks at Detoure, which were well-stocked with clothes from Abercrombie & Fitch, Princess Polly and Revolve.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

"Even the weird barks that he does," laughs the 16-year-old, who braved a rainstorm to see Speed in action.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2026

If they got caught out on the beach in a rainstorm in the night they would be in trouble.

From "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.