rainforest
n.a thick forest in a tropical area that gets a lot of rain. These forests are home to many different kinds of plants and animals.
n.a dense forest, typically found in tropical areas, characterized by high rainfall and a diverse ecosystem. Often used to describe regions with a closed canopy and high biodiversity.
“The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world.”
“Many rare species of birds live deep within the tropical rainforest where the trees are tallest.”
“Conservationists argue that protecting the rainforest is essential for maintaining global climate stability and preserving genetic diversity that could lead to future medical breakthroughs.”
Usually countable when referring to a specific geographic area; uncountable when discussing the habitat type in general.
From rain + forest, a calque of German Regenwald.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.