precipitation

noun

pre·​cip·​i·​ta·​tion pri-ˌsi-pə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the quality or state of being precipitate : hastiness

2

: an act, process, or instance of precipitating

especially : the process of forming a precipitate

3

: something precipitated: such as

a

: a deposit on the earth of hail, mist, rain, sleet, or snow

also : the quantity of water deposited

b

: precipitate sense 1

Synonyms

• haste
• hastiness
• hurry
• hustle
• precipitousness
• rush

Examples of precipitation in a Sentence

The weather forecast calls for some sort of frozen precipitation tomorrow—either snow or sleet.

a 50 percent chance of precipitation

Minerals are separated from the seawater by precipitation.

Recent Examples on the Web

But researchers can glean something from mere mentions of precipitation, Ummenhofer says, similar to how scientists with the Old Weather project used historical logbooks to chronicle the presence of sea ice in the Arctic. —Benjamin Cassidy, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 June 2024

The chance of precipitation is 30%, increasing to 50% overnight. —Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 31 May 2024

Temperatures may rise to the upper 60s to low 70s in the afternoon, though sunshine will be scarce due to precipitation and heavy cloud coverage. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 15 May 2024

There's a 60% chance of precipitation, with a chance of showers before 8 a.m., a chance of showers and storms between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. and likely showers with a possible thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Saturday night is expected to be partly cloudy with a low near 62. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 15 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1502, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing precipitation

• acid precipitation

Kids Definition

precipitation

noun

pre·​cip·​i·​ta·​tion pri-ˌsip-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: unwise haste

2

: the process of precipitating or of forming a precipitate

3

: water or the amount of water that falls to the earth as hail, mist, rain, sleet, or snow

Medical Definition

precipitation

noun

pre·​cip·​i·​ta·​tion pri-ˌsip-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

a

: the process of forming a precipitate from a solution

b

: the process of precipitating or removing solid or liquid particles from a smoke or gas by electrical means

2

: precipitate