What's the difference between downpour and rain?

Downpour


Definition:

  • (n.) A pouring or streaming downwards; esp., a heavy or continuous shower.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) Some retailers said April's downpours led to pent-up demand which was unleashed at the first sign of summer, with shoppers rushing to update their summer wardrobes.
  • (2) The warm weather will not reach all parts of the country, however – with pockets of north-west England still expecting showery downpours this weekend.
  • (3) Boxing Day sales shoppers were soaked as downpours continued across the country on Wednesday, and there were warnings that an Atlantic storm would bring more heavy rain at the weekend.
  • (4) Downpours of up to 40-50mm could fall in the next 24 hours as the rain reaches Lancashire and Cumbria initially and then crosses the Pennines, gaining in intensity.
  • (5) Hart conceded his mistake at Ludovic Obraniak's corner had cost his team – "I came out and didn't get there, so it's my fault and that's cost us the three points," he said – even if the home side merited their point on a stodgy surface that was still saturated from the downpour the previous night.
  • (6) Kerry McQuade whose home perched high up on Blenheim Street avoided the worst effects, said: "We had two hours of a torrential downpour, followed by continual rain, from lunchtime.
  • (7) In London, the Thames Barrier was raised on Thursday morning for the first time since March 2010, to reduce the risk of flooding as water from days of downpours causes high levels further upstream.
  • (8) We have seen upsets and outbursts, sunshine and downpours, staggering exits and gaudy new arrivals.
  • (9) The downpour notwithstanding, a few hundred people gathered in the square erupted in applause and shouted Obama’s name as the first family stepped forward.
  • (10) A succession of storms, some very high tides and incessant downpours this winter have brought into stark relief Britain's exposure to the weather.
  • (11) As for the rainstorm in the US, its fatal unpredictability was shown when a Thursday morning downpour dumped 4 inches on Spartanburg, South Carolina, causing flash floods that submerged several cars.
  • (12) "There is also an ongoing risk of flooding from groundwater, particularly in Dorset, and some larger rivers like the Thames and Severn are still rising as they slowly respond to the recent downpours.
  • (13) Thames Water , one of seven companies in southern and eastern England that introduced restrictions on water use on 5 April, said the recent downpours may have staved off further curbs against drought but did not amount to "a long-term fix".
  • (14) The environment select committee's report also said the government's spending by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to protect homes from flooding is not keeping pace with the rising risk, which is increasing as climate change intensifies downpours, and were also failing to act effectively to block the building of new homes on floodplains.
  • (15) Lee’s coffin, draped in Singapore’s red-and-white flag and protected from the downpour by a glass casing, lay atop a ceremonial gun carriage that was solemnly led past city landmarks from parliament to a cultural centre where the state funeral was held.
  • (16) More heavy downpours will continue on Thursday and Friday as fresh bands of rain sweep east, followed by a storm this weekend.
  • (17) The deluge that has engulfed southern and central England in recent weeks is the worst winter downpour in almost 250 years, according to figures from the world's longest-running weather station.
  • (18) Many residents say the Environment Agency should have pumped water away from the moors sooner following the spring downpours and claim it is not doing enough to keep rivers and streams dredged or to find alternative ways to store floodwater.
  • (19) The report reveals that while downpours and storms have not been out of the ordinary, their frequency has been.
  • (20) Warmer temperatures and frequent downpours speed up the breeding cycles of the insects.

Rain


Definition:

  • (n. & v.) Reign.
  • (n.) Water falling in drops from the clouds; the descent of water from the clouds in drops.
  • (n.) To fall in drops from the clouds, as water; -- used mostly with it for a nominative; as, it rains.
  • (n.) To fall or drop like water from the clouds; as, tears rained from their eyes.
  • (v. t.) To pour or shower down from above, like rain from the clouds.
  • (v. t.) To bestow in a profuse or abundant manner; as, to rain favors upon a person.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) This is basically a large tank (the bigger the better) that collects rain from the house guttering and pumps it into the home, to be used for flushing the loo.
  • (2) The supporters – many of them wearing Hamas green headbands and carrying Hamas flags – packed the open-air venue in rain and strong winds to celebrate the Islamist organisation's 25th anniversary and what it regards as a victory in last month's eight-day war with Israel.
  • (3) As yet there is no evidence that the occurrence of savanna flies in the rain forest zone of Liberia was of epidemiological significance.
  • (4) But officials warned the rains may not reach the heart of the Rim fire.
  • (5) A light rain pattered the rooftops of Los Mochis in Friday’s pre-dawn darkness, the town silent and still as the Sea of Cortez lapped its shore.
  • (6) The effect of spraying plants with rain-water was to enhance slightly the total content of all trace metals analysed.
  • (7) Demonstrators gathered in the rain in the west of the Afghan capital and marched towards the city centre, chanting death to the Taliban and Islamic State , while demanding justice and protection from the government.
  • (8) Richard Aylard, director of sustainability and external affairs for Thames Water, said the firm was aware of the irony that heavy rain had set in after the hosepipe ban was announced.
  • (9) The warning of further food prices came as some British supermarkets said they were struggling to keep shelves stocked with fresh produce and the National Farmers Union (NFU) reported that UK wheat yields have been the lowest since the late 1980s as a result of abnormal rain fall.
  • (10) In Kew Gardens, west London, 18mm of rain fell in just an hour on Saturday afternoon with other deluges causing travel misery.
  • (11) A winter mission, following a rain, will-provide a view of low areas within fields which may be obscured by summer vegetation.
  • (12) Canterbury and Christchurch in the South Island were expected to bear the brunt of ex-cyclone Debbie, with rain expected to ease in the North Island later on Thursday.
  • (13) It took City until midway through the first half to test the Boro goalkeeper, and once they did begin to rain shots on goal they found Tómas Mejías more than capable of standing up to them.
  • (14) On the weather map rain hammers down like a monsoon.
  • (15) It sounds like self-congratulation for disbelieving incorrect forecasts of rain, then proudly stepping into a hailstorm without an umbrella.
  • (16) I went inside, and the sound of the rain on the roof and the darkness inside made me very afraid.
  • (17) Warning of more stormy weather to come he urged people to remain on alert in regions due for more heavy rain this Wednesday and Thursday.
  • (18) Boxing Day sales shoppers were soaked as downpours continued across the country on Wednesday, and there were warnings that an Atlantic storm would bring more heavy rain at the weekend.
  • (19) In view of the fact that a major consequence of acid rain is the liberation of large amounts of aluminum in bioavailable forms, concerns are raised about possible human health risks of this environmental phenomenon.
  • (20) At present it is not possible to quantify the effects attributed to acid rain only; account must be also be taken of cadmium added to, e.g., soil by use of sewage sludge and other fertilizers.