a ceremonial dance performed by tribal people with the intention of causing rain to fall
The Hopis had held a rain dance Sunday, calling on the clouds to restore the waterblessing to the land.
rain dance in American English
noun
(esp among Native Americans)
a ritualistic dance performed to bring rain
Word origin
[1925–30]This word is first recorded in the period 1925–30. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: buildup, decibel, hot spot, off-line, payload
Examples of 'rain dance' in a sentence
rain dance
I'm going to do the biggest rain dance ever.
The Sun (2006)
Maybe they'll do a rain dance to help.
The Sun (2012)
He did a rain dance and revealed that he was doing his bit for rationing by sharing baths with his wife.
Times, Sunday Times (2018)
When surfers feel there are too many emmets on the beach, clogging things up, they hold a 'rain dance'.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He loves soft going so get practising those rain dances.
The Sun (2010)
Trying to change the weather has a long tradition stretching back to rain dances.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
All sorts of attempts have been tried to break droughts, from rain dances to artificially seeding rainclouds.