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

Birmingham, Alabama weather forecast Widespread precipitation is expected across Central Alabama through noon Friday, the NWS said, with a wintry mix expected in the northern part Central Alabama, changing over to rain by afternoon except in the higher elevations in the northeast counties. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025

Much of North Texas saw snow or some mix of wintry precipitation Thursday and Friday, with some areas receiving up to 11 inches. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Jan. 2025

The area should see snow then a mix with snow and sleet until the evening when the precipitation turns to mostly freezing rain that is expected to continue into early Saturday morning, Wimblerley said. —Andrew Dys, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2025

San Diego has only received 0.16 inches of precipitation since July 1 — barely enough to cover the bottom of a drinking glass. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025

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