Skip to main content
rain barrel

rain barrel

2 3.3
A large container that collects rainwater from roofs for later use
  • noun
  • /reɪn ˈbɛrəl/
  • US
translation icon : barril de lluvia
  • Chris used a PVC pipe to tie into the downspout and bring it directly into the rain barrel.
  • rain barrel and water
  • collect rain barrels
  • rain barrel usage

Examples

  • Choose a rain barrel made with food-grade plastic that holds at least 55 gallons of water.

  • Sequoia provided basic rebuilding supplies to the typhoon-ravaged atolls, including rain barrels for drinking water catchment, school supplies, first aid kits, and food.

    Blog text (3)
  • I plan to put up another rain barrel, and we are working on getting an old well to function.

    Blog text (8)
  • Rain barrels are an increasingly popular approach to water conservation in the United States.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Are you using a diverter with your rain barrels?

    Blog text (2)
  • Councilman Randy Corcoran said the rising popularity of rain barrels makes the new ordinance useful.

    Blog text (31)
  • We have two rain barrels by the laundry area that we use for wash water.

  • Above right: A total of six rain barrels collect water to irrigate the garden.

Synonyms

barrel
vsrain barrel
164 1.0

A large round container made of wood or metal that holds liquids such as wine and oil

is focused on collecting and holding roof water rather than storing drinks or oils
cistern
vsrain barrel
9 6.0

A tank that stores water, often underground or on a roof

is a simpler portable container used to gather roof runoff for later use
water butt
vsrain barrel
  • UK
4.4

A large container kept outside to collect rainwater from a roof

is the same idea but described as a general rainwater storage container

How Big

reservoir
86 4.3
cistern
9 6.0
water tank
  • US
9 1.9
rain barrel
  • US
2 3.3
bucket
207 1.0
jug
41 1.0

Surface Forms

rain barrel singular
rain barrels plural

Morphology

rain + barrel

The meaning 'a container used to collect and store rainwater' is directly and compositionally derived from combining 'rain' (water falling from the sky) with 'barrel' (a large cylindrical container). This noun–noun compounding pattern is transparent and common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Rain barrel comes from a simple picture: falling rain is caught from a roof and kept in a barrel so people can save the water. So the name now means 'a container used to collect and store rainwater for later use'.