rain
♦♦ rain /r'eɪn/ (rains raining rained)
1 [N-UNCOUNT] also the N
Rain is water that falls from the clouds in small drops.
I hope you didn't get soaked standing out in the rain...
2 [N-PLURAL] usu the N
In countries where rain only falls in certain seasons, this rain is referred to as the rains.
...the spring, when the rains came...
3 [VERB] it V
When rain falls, you can say that it is raining.
It was raining hard, and she hadn't an umbrella.
4 [VERB] V n on n, V on n
If someone rains blows, kicks, or bombs on a person or place, the person or place is attacked by many blows, kicks, or bombs. You can also say that blows, kicks, or bombs rain on a person or place.
The police, raining blows on rioters and spectators alike, cleared the park...
Rockets, mortars and artillery rounds rained on buildings.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P on n
Rain down means the same as rain.
Fighter aircraft rained down high explosives...
Grenades and mortars rained down on Dubrovnik.
5 [PHRASE]
If you say that someone does something rain or shine, you mean that they do it regularly, without being affected by the weather or other circumstances.
Frances took her daughter walking every day, rain or shine.acid rain
[N-UNCOUNT]
Acid rain is rain polluted by acid that has been released into the atmosphere from factories and other industrial processes. Acid rain is harmful to the environment.rain check (rain checks)
1 [N-SING]
If you say you will take a rain check on an offer or suggestion, you mean that you do not want to accept it now, but you might accept it at another time.
Can I take a rain check on that?
2 [N-COUNT]
A rain check is a free ticket that is given to people when an outdoor game or event is stopped because of rain or bad weather, so that they can go to it when it is held again. (AM)rain off
[PHRASAL VERB] be V-ed P, V-ed P
If a sports game is rained off, it has to stop, or it is not able to start, because of rain. (BRIT; in AM, use rain out)
Most of the games have been rained off.
...a rained-off cricket match.rain out
[PHRASAL VERB] be V-ed P
If a sports game is rained out, it has to stop, or it is not able to start, because of rain. (AM; in BRIT, use rain off)
Saturday's game was rained out.
1 [N-UNCOUNT] also the N
Rain is water that falls from the clouds in small drops.
I hope you didn't get soaked standing out in the rain...
2 [N-PLURAL] usu the N
In countries where rain only falls in certain seasons, this rain is referred to as the rains.
...the spring, when the rains came...
3 [VERB] it V
When rain falls, you can say that it is raining.
It was raining hard, and she hadn't an umbrella.
4 [VERB] V n on n, V on n
If someone rains blows, kicks, or bombs on a person or place, the person or place is attacked by many blows, kicks, or bombs. You can also say that blows, kicks, or bombs rain on a person or place.
The police, raining blows on rioters and spectators alike, cleared the park...
Rockets, mortars and artillery rounds rained on buildings.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V P on n
Rain down means the same as rain.
Fighter aircraft rained down high explosives...
Grenades and mortars rained down on Dubrovnik.
5 [PHRASE]
If you say that someone does something rain or shine, you mean that they do it regularly, without being affected by the weather or other circumstances.
Frances took her daughter walking every day, rain or shine.acid rain
[N-UNCOUNT]
Acid rain is rain polluted by acid that has been released into the atmosphere from factories and other industrial processes. Acid rain is harmful to the environment.rain check (rain checks)
1 [N-SING]
If you say you will take a rain check on an offer or suggestion, you mean that you do not want to accept it now, but you might accept it at another time.
Can I take a rain check on that?
2 [N-COUNT]
A rain check is a free ticket that is given to people when an outdoor game or event is stopped because of rain or bad weather, so that they can go to it when it is held again. (AM)rain off
[PHRASAL VERB] be V-ed P, V-ed P
If a sports game is rained off, it has to stop, or it is not able to start, because of rain. (BRIT; in AM, use rain out)
Most of the games have been rained off.
...a rained-off cricket match.rain out
[PHRASAL VERB] be V-ed P
If a sports game is rained out, it has to stop, or it is not able to start, because of rain. (AM; in BRIT, use rain off)
Saturday's game was rained out.