rainforest

noun

rain·​for·​est ˈrān-ˌfȯr-əst How to pronounce rainforest (audio)
-ˌfär-
variants or less commonly rain forest
plural rainforests also rain forests
1
: a tropical woodland with an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches (254 centimeters) and marked by lofty broad-leaved evergreen trees forming a continuous canopy

called also tropical rainforest

2
: temperate rainforest

Examples of rainforest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The small mammal is native to the rainforests of Central and South America. — Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026 But the mining, which in some cases could happen near reserves in the Amazon rainforest, also comes with major environmental risks. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 Then Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge arrived on 600 acres of remote rainforest and river valleys on Vancouver Island. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026 If an episode set in the desert emphasizes orange, the next might lean toward the green of the rainforest, followed by the white of snow, and so on. — Matthew Jacobs, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rainforest

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rainforest was in 1900

Phrases Containing rainforest

Rhymes for rainforest

See All Rhymes for rainforest

Browse Nearby Words

rainfall
rainforest
rainfowl
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rainforest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rainforest. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rain forest

noun
1
: an often tropical woodland with a high annual rainfall and very tall evergreen trees with tops forming a continuous layer

called also tropical rain forest

2
: temperate rain forest

More from Merriam-Webster on rainforest

Nglish: Translation of rainforest for Spanish Speakers

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