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 of precipitation

• hustle
• precipitousness

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

Because the Mexican burrowing toad lives in rainforest conditions with lots of trees and precipitation, the Los Angeles area likely had similar conditions when the amphibian occupied it, Cruz said. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026

Rain showers got Wednesday started for most of the Philadelphia area, but that morning precipitation will taper off through midday. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

Rice University and Vanderbilt University developed this single-step approach, which provides an efficient alternative to existing methods like reverse osmosis or chemical precipitation. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026

Snowpack acts as a natural reservoir, storing winter precipitation and gradually releasing meltwater into early summer. — John Abatzoglou, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1502, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing precipitation

• acid precipitation

Rhymes for precipitation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

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