A rainforest is a thick forest that receives a lot of rain each year and is home to a huge variety of plants and animals. Many rainforests are warm and near the equator, but some are cooler and closer to the poles.
The word is a modern compound of “rain” and “forest,” used widely from the mid‑20th century as scientists and the public focused on these ecosystems. It highlights heavy rainfall as a defining feature of these forests.
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