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

Friday There's a 70% chance of precipitation Friday with showers likely and storms possible before 2 p.m. After 2 p.m., a chance of showers and storms remains. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 12 Sep. 2024

Sky Harbor International Airport recorded 3.3 inches of precipitation in one day, the most in over 115 years of record keeping. —Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 11 Sep. 2024

The chance of precipitation is 50%. Sunday: A chance of showers. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2024

But the kind of precipitation is going to look a lot different depending on where people live within the Great Lakes region. —Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 5 Sep. 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