rain

[ reyn ]

noun

1. 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 ).
2. a rainfall, rainstorm, or shower:

   We had a light rain this afternoon.

3. rains, the rainy season; seasonal rainfall, as in India.
4. weather marked by steady or frequent rainfall:

   We had rain most of last summer.

5. a heavy and continuous descent or inflicting of anything:

   a rain of blows; a rain of vituperation.

verb (used without object)

1. (of rain) to fall (usually used impersonally with it as subject):

   It rained all night.

2. to fall like rain:

   Tears rained from their eyes.

3. to send down rain:

   The lightning flashed and the sky rained on us in torrents.

verb (used with object)

1. to send down in great quantities, as small pieces or objects:

   People on rooftops rained confetti on the parade.

2. to offer, bestow, or give in great quantity:

   to rain favors upon a person.

   Synonyms: pour, shower, lavish

3. to deal, hurl, fire, etc., repeatedly:

   to rain blows on someone's head.

verb phrase

1. to cause, by raining, the cancellation or postponement of a sports event, performance, or the like:

   The double-header was rained out yesterday.

rain

/ reɪn /

noun

1. 1. precipitation from clouds in the form of drops of water, formed by the condensation of water vapour in the atmosphere
   2. a fall of rain; shower
   3. ( in combination ) hyetalpluvious

      a raindrop

2. a large quantity of anything falling rapidly or in quick succession

   a rain of abuse

3. rain or shine or come rain or shine
   1. regardless of the weather
   2. regardless of circumstances
4. right as rain informal.
   perfectly all right; perfectly fit

verb

1. intr; with it as subject to be the case that rain is falling
2. often withit as subject to fall or cause to fall like rain

   the lid flew off and popcorn rained on everyone

3. tr to bestow in large measure

   to rain abuse on someone

4. rain cats and dogs informal.
   to rain heavily; pour
5. rained off
   cancelled or postponed on account of rain

rain

/ rān /

1. 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.
2. See also hydrologic cycle

Derived Forms

• ˈrainless, adjective

Other Words From

• rainless adjective
• rainless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rain¹

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English rein; Old English regn, rēn, cognate with Dutch, German regen, Old Norse regn, Gothic rign; (verb) Middle English reinen, Old English regnian

Word History and Origins

Origin of rain¹

Old English regn ; related to Old Frisian rein , Old High German regan , Gothic rign

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. rain cats and dogs, Informal. to rain very heavily or steadily:

   We canceled our picnic because it rained cats and dogs.

More idioms and phrases containing rain

• come in out of the rain
• it never rains but it pours
• right as rain

Example Sentences

Tropical Storm Trami dumped one month's worth of rain over large swathes of the northern Philippines in late October, leaving dozens of people dead.

From BBC

It was the second part of a game that started on June 26, but got rained out.

From NewsForKids.net

While rain is expected across much of England and Wales, there will be some snow falling on the northern boundary of this area.

From BBC

Southern California will have a respite from hot, dry weather this weekend as colder temperatures sweep in — bringing with them the possibility of scattered rain showers and snow in the mountains.

From Los Angeles Times

That seesawing piano riff on the soundtrack could be rain droplets or an improvisatory theme for a couple lolling around an open-air market trying on sunglasses.

From Los Angeles Times