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

Heavy precipitation when temperatures are below freezing can create an ice storm, according to the National Weather Service. MORE: Why ice did not form in the Great Lakes this winter season Accumulations of ice can down trees, communication towers and utility poles, according to the NWS. —Max Golembo, ABC News, 13 Dec. 2024

Right now, only about 1% of the world’s water supply comes from desalination plants, but as glaciers melt, precipitation patterns change, a lot more freshwater—for both agriculture and human use—will be needed. —Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Chances of precipitation increase to 100% Saturday night with rainfall amounts of between a quarter and half of an inch and a low near 44. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 12 Dec. 2024

Overall, the Arctic is becoming a greener landscape with more extreme precipitation and less snow and ice, according to the report. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 10 Dec. 2024

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