noun
Uncommon
precipitation
prih-sih-pih-TAYSHN
Precipitation (noun) means Rain, snow, hail, or any other form of water falling from the sky. Example: “The forecast predicts heavy precipitation across the region tomorrow.”
noun
1
Rain, snow, hail, or any other form of water falling from the sky.
"The forecast predicts heavy precipitation across the region tomorrow."
"Mountain areas get more precipitation in winter, much of it falling as snow."
"Farmers watch the precipitation levels closely during a dry spring."
2
(chemistry) The process of a solid forming and settling out of a liquid solution.
"The lab measured the precipitation of calcium carbonate from the mixture."
"A white solid appeared through precipitation when the two clear liquids were mixed."
"Slow precipitation of salt crystals left a crust at the bottom of the jar."
How to use precipitation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe general weather-science word for rain, snow, sleet, and hail together; also a chemistry term for solids forming in a liquid.
Common pairings
heavy precipitation
annual precipitation
chance of precipitation
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Word forms
- Plural
- precipitations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The forecast predicts heavy _____ across the region tomorrow.
Etymology
From Latin praecipitatio, from the verb praecipitare, \"to throw headlong\" — the same root family as precipice and precipitate.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for precipitation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for precipitation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “precipitation” mean?
The word “precipitation” means rain, snow, hail, or any other form of water falling from the sky. In plain terms, the general weather-science word for rain, snow, sleet, and hail together; also a chemistry term for solids forming in a liquid.
How do you pronounce “precipitation”?
“Precipitation” is pronounced prih-sih-pih-TAYSHN (/pɹɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “precipitation” in a sentence?
Here is “precipitation” used in a sentence: “The forecast predicts heavy precipitation across the region tomorrow.”
What part of speech is “precipitation”?
“Precipitation” is a noun.
Where does the word “precipitation” come from?
The word “precipitation” comes from Latin. From Latin praecipitatio, from the verb praecipitare, \"to throw headlong\" — the same root family as precipice and precipitate.
Is “precipitation” a common word?
“Precipitation” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “precipitation” have?
“Precipitation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: rain, snow, hail, or any other form of water falling from the sky.
What is the difference between precipitation and rainfall?
Precipitation is the broader term covering rain, snow, hail, or any other form of water falling from the sky, while rainfall refers specifically to water falling as rain. All rainfall is precipitation, but not all precipitation is rainfall.
What counts as precipitation?
Precipitation includes any form of water falling from the sky, such as rain, snow, and hail. In a separate, unrelated chemistry sense, precipitation also refers to a solid forming and settling out of a liquid solution.
What does precipitation mean in chemistry?
In chemistry, precipitation refers to the process of a solid forming and settling out of a liquid solution, producing what is called a precipitate. This is a distinct meaning from the weather sense of rain, snow, or hail falling from the sky.
