rain date

noun

: an alternative date set aside for use if a scheduled event must be postponed due to rain

Examples of rain date in a Sentence

The bike trip is scheduled for May 18th, with a rain date of May 25th.
Recent Examples on the Web Dolan also made a motion that passed to have a rain date for the event Aug. 14, the following Wednesday. Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2024 The festival will be at the Christian Athletic Association Park (CAA Park) at 202 Ingleside Avenue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A rain date is set for the following Sunday, Sept. 17. Katia Parks, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2023 Two rain dates are planned in case of inclement weather, both at the same time and location: on Thursday or on June 4. Staff Report, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2023 The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra’s Patriotic Pops Concert at Institute Park in Worcester has moved to the rain date of Tuesday. Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, 3 July 2023 Fireworks are scheduled for July 1 (rain date July 2) over Nagawicka Lake. Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 23 June 2023 In other state finals news, the boys’ and girls’ tennis championships will be held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on June 17 and 18, with a rain date of June 19. Nate Weitzer, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2022 The rain date is April 2. courant.com, 16 Mar. 2022 When: June 17, June 24 and July 1 (rain date) at 6:30 p.m. Movies start at dusk, event includes food trucks and children’s activities. Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 17 June 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rain date.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rain date was in 1954

Dictionary Entries Near rain date

Cite this Entry

“Rain date.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rain%20date. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rain date

noun
: an alternative date set aside for use if a scheduled event must be postponed due to rain
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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