rain·for·est

or rain forest (rān′fôr′ĭst, fŏr′-)

A dense evergreen forest with a minimum annual rainfall of approximately 180 centimeters (71 inches). Rainforests are found chiefly in the tropics but also occur in temperate regions, where the rainfall amount is somewhat lower.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

rain′ for`est

or rain′for`est,

a tropical forest, usu. of tall, densely growing, broad-leaved evergreen trees in an area of high annual rainfall.

[1900–05]

rain forest

A dense evergreen forest with an annual rainfall of at least 160 inches (406.4 centimeters).

Did You Know? Rain forests are, not surprisingly, forests where it rains a lot—between 160 and 400 inches (406.4 and 1,016 centimeters) a year. Most of the world's rain forests lie near the equator and have tropical climates with temperatures that remain around 80°F (26.6°C) all year long. However, there are also cooler rain forests, such as the one in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada. The largest rain forest in the world is the one located in the Amazon River basin in South America. Rain forests are extremely important because they help regulate the world's climate and because they host such extraordinary diversity of life. Scientists believe that as many as half of the Earth's different species of plants and animals are found only in the rain forests, which take up a mere 7 percent of the world's landmass. Among other benefits, this biodiversity supports important biological research. For example, many of the natural chemicals used in prescription drugs are found in plants that grow only in rain forests. Unfortunately, the demand for agriculture is causing many people to turn rain forests into farms and grazing land, and by some estimates, more than half of the Earth's original rain forests have already been burned or cut down.

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

rain forest - a forest with heavy annual rainfall

rainforest

forest, woods, wood - the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

temperate rain forest - a rain forest in a temperate area

selva, tropical rain forest - a rain forest in a tropical area

Translations

غابَة أمْطار

deštný prales

regnskov

esõerdõ

tropu mežs

dažďový prales

rain

(rein) noun

1. water falling from the clouds in liquid drops. We've had a lot of rain today; walking in the rain; We had flooding because of last week's heavy rains.

2. a great number of things falling like rain. a rain of arrows.

verb

1. (only with it as subject) to cause rain to fall. I think it will rain today.

2. to (cause to) fall like rain. Arrows rained down on the soldiers.

ˈrainy adjective

having (many) showers of rain. a rainy day; the rainy season; rainy weather.

ˈraininess noun

ˈrainbow noun

the coloured arch sometimes seen in the sky opposite the sun when rain is falling.

ˈrain check: take a rain check

(American) (to ask) to do something at a later time. Thanks for inviting me to dinner, but can I take a rain check on it?

ˈraincoat noun

a waterproof coat worn to keep out the rain.

ˈraindrop noun

a single drop of rain.

ˈrainfall noun

the amount of rain that falls in a certain place in a certain time. We haven't had much rainfall this year; the annual rainfall.

ˈrain forest noun

a thick tropical forest in a region where it rains a lot.

ˈrain-gauge noun

an instrument for measuring rainfall.

keep/save etc for a rainy day

to keep (especially money) until one needs it or in case one may need it.

rain cats and dogs

to rain very hard.

the rains

(in tropical countries) the rainy season.

(as) right as rain

perfectly all right; completely well.

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

The diversity of invertebrates, fungi, and soil organisms found in British Columbia may rival those found in tropical rain forests, according to Conservation International and Ecotrust, a pair of U.S.-based nonprofit groups working to preserve rain forests.

The temperate rainforest: Canada's clear-out secret

The legions of fans who admire themovie-screen exploits of "Crocodile' Dundee and long to follow in the footsteps of the intrepid Australian hero could find no better gateway to Australian adventure than Cairns, a port city in the northeastern state of Queensland tucked between mountainous rain forests and the deep blue sea.

"Crocodile" Dundee country

Tropical rain forests like those found in Costa Rica receive an annual rainfall of at least 250 centimeters (100 inches).

Lights, camera action! When kids create their own nature show, wild things can happen

The remaining old growth rain forests are living treasures that must be protected at all costs.

Subic immersion golf and the rain forest

Wise Men Foresee Countries will be lost to higher seas Scientists now claim and wise men foresee The ice caps are melting at an alarming rate The future of the Arctic is not looking great For global warming we will pay a high cost Low-lying countries and islands will one day be lost Rain forests mankind continues to neglect It may be already too late some scientists suspect Mankind must learn what he can and cannot do Saving our rain forests is an important issue African countries are on their knees Drought and famine bring death and disease While Africa struggles to find an answer More children die of starvation than of cancer GEORGE MCLANDERS

POEM OF THE DAY

This line corresponds well with the currently recognized northern boundary of the tropical monsoon and rain forests of China (Wu, 1980; Hou, 1981, 1988; Cao et al., 2006; Zhang, 2007).

The tropical forests of southern China and conservation of biodiversity

Students will recognize the importance of rain forests.

Designing a rain forest

Refocusing attention on tropical rain forests, Martin's exposA[c] reveals the extent to which these forests are impacted by climate change.

On the Edge; The State and Fate of the World's Tropical Rainforests

Barangay officials and their tanods (cops) live near the rain forests that catch and conserve heavy rainfall to feed dams and small catch basins for our irrigation systems nationwide.

Conserving God's rainwater for all!

Bowman's findings suggest that, while the species has evolutionary advantages that allow it to out-compete other species, the trees do coexist on the margins of rain forests and should be considered part of that ecosystem.

Is it a tree or a plant?--It's eucalyptus

DESPITE the stark difference in temperatures between the Arctic and rain forests, there is a striking parallel between these regions of the world.

Fighting for a cleaner world; letters@coventrytelegraph.net Letters letters@coventrytelegraph.net

Tropical rain forests; an ecological and biogeographical comparison, 2d ed.

Tropical rain forests; an ecological and biogeographical comparison, 2d ed