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

The Weather Channel showed rain tapering off for the rest of the night, with a forecast of clouds and temperatures in the low 40s, and just a 17% chance of more precipitation. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 6 Dec. 2025

That means when a system hits, Wisconsin is getting all snow instead of a mix of precipitation. —Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 6 Dec. 2025

Meanwhile, a winter weather advisory means that light amounts of wintry precipitation or patchy blowing snow will cause slick conditions and could make travel difficult if precautions are not taken. —Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

The precipitation paired with cold temperatures could cause slippery conditions, especially on untreated roads and sidewalks. —Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025

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