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

Crescent City, near the Oregon border, has seen 8.15 inches of precipitation in the past 6 weeks, according to the National Weather Service, along with Eureka with 6.2 inches, Redding at 1.92 inches, South Lake Tahoe with 1.11 inches and Santa Rosa at 1.61 inches. —Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024

Murphy said the winter forecast predicts more dry weather, though the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s seasonal outlook predicted above-average temperatures with equal chances of precipitation above or below average levels. —Melissa Chan, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024

The forecast says to expect a 100% chance of precipitation, with wind gusts up to 35 mph, the weather agency said. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 4 Nov. 2024

Thursday night The chance of precipitation is 90% with showers and a storm possible before 11 p.m. and showers following until 2 a.m. Temperatures will reach a low of 48 with southwest winds of 6-10 mph becoming northwest into Friday morning. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 30 Oct. 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