precipice

noun

prec·​i·​pice ˈpre-s(ə-)pəs 

1

: a very steep or overhanging place

2

: a hazardous situation

broadly : brink

Synonyms

• cliff
• escarpment

Examples of precipice in a Sentence

Twenty years ago, it seemed unlikely that black and white South Africans could avoid a cataclysmic struggle. How did we manage to turn back from the precipice and join one another in the long walk to a nonracial democracy? —F. W. De Klerk, Time, 18 Apr. 2005

These are the brave, friendly guys and gals who flip, twist, spin and somersault themselves backward into the sky and somehow land on a horrifyingly steep precipice without rearranging their rib cages or breaking their faces. —Curry Kirkpatrick, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 1994

… the helpless Cambodians were bused from the safety of a refugee camp to an outcropping along the border several hundred miles to the northeast, where they were forced over the precipice into a wild and inaccessible part of Cambodia from which it would be almost impossible to return to Thailand. —Barbara Crossette, New York Times Book Review, 2 Aug. 1987

He stood on the edge of the precipice.

scaled the steep precipice with the ease of an experienced climber

Recent Examples on the Web

Panahi is more concerned with preserving this moment in time, this potential precipice of change, for Iran and for all of us. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025

Toews spent his night on the precipice of great plays. —Murat Ates, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025

But thanks to a slew of A-list endorsements, the fall fashion trend is on the precipice of another golden age that could rival its ’60s, ’80s, and ’00s heydays. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2025

Instead, the film, set in 1952, follows the fictional Marty Mauser, grinding it in New York’s table tennis scene and on the precipice of a major break. —David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, from Latin praecipitium, from praecipit-, praeceps headlong, from prae- + caput head — more at head

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing precipice

• on the edge of a precipice

Kids Definition

precipice

noun

prec·​i·​pice ˈpres-(ə-)pəs 

: a very steep and high face of a rock or mountain