precipitated; precipitating
Definition of precipitate
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a : to throw violently : hurl the quandaries into which the release of nuclear energy has precipitated mankind— A. B. Arons
b : to throw down
2 : to bring about especially abruptly
precipitate a scandal that would end with his expulsion— John Cheever
3a : to cause to separate from solution or suspension
b : to cause (vapor) to condense and fall or deposit
precipitate
nounDefinition of precipitate (Entry 2 of 3)
1 : a substance separated from a solution or suspension by chemical or physical change usually as an insoluble amorphous or crystalline solid
2 : a product, result, or outcome of some process or action
precipitate
adjectiveDefinition of precipitate (Entry 3 of 3)
1a : falling, flowing, or rushing with steep descent
b : precipitous, steep
2 : exhibiting violent or unwise speed
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quizWords of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quizHow Strong Is Your Vocabulary?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
Take the quizSCRABBLE® Sprint
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
Share precipitate
Time Traveler for precipitate
The first known use of precipitate was in 1528
See more words from the same year