rainout

or rain-out

[ reyn-out ]
/ ˈreɪnˌaʊt /

noun

a contest, performance, or the like, that has been rained out.
Also called washout. the removal of radioactive particles or other foreign substances from the atmosphere by precipitation.
Compare fallout.

Origin of rainout

1945–50, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase rain out

Definition for rain out (2 of 2)

Origin of rain

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

SYNONYMS FOR rain

OTHER WORDS FROM rain

rain·less, adjective rain·less·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rain

rain reign rein

British Dictionary definitions for rain out (1 of 2)

rain
/ (reɪn) /

noun

verb

US and Canadian term: rained out
See also rains

Derived forms of rain

rainless, adjective

Word Origin for rain

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

British Dictionary definitions for rain out (2 of 2)

rainout
/ (ˈreɪnˌaʊt) /

noun

radioactive fallout or atmospheric pollution carried to the earth by rain

Scientific definitions for rain out

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.

Idioms and Phrases with rain out (1 of 2)

rain out

Force the cancellation or postponement of some event owing to bad weather. For example, Our picnic was rained out, but we hope to have it next week. [1920s]

Idioms and Phrases with rain out (2 of 2)

rain