- a bow or arc of prismatic colors appearing in the heavens opposite the sun and caused by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays in drops of rain.
- a similar bow of colors, especially one appearing in the spray of a waterfall or fountain.
- any brightly multicolored arrangement or display.
- a wide variety or range; gamut.
- a visionary goal: He pursued the rainbow of a singing career for years before becoming a success.
- rainbow trout.
- having a diverse membership; including representatives from different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, etc.: Archbishop Desmond Tutu famously described postapartheid South Africa as a rainbow nation.LGBTQ Pride month celebrates all of the rainbow community.Candidates are appealing to a rainbow coalition of minority voters.
- a bow-shaped display in the sky of the colours of the spectrum, caused by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays through rain or mist
- any similar display of bright colours
- (as modifier)
- an illusory hope
- of or relating to a political grouping together by several minorities, esp of different races
- a member of the Rainbow Guides, the youngest group of girls (aged 5-7 years) in The Guide Association
