Precipitation Meaning
/pɹɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃn̩/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAny or all of the forms of water particles, whether liquid or solid, that fall from the upper atmosphere (e.g., rain, hail, snow or sleet). It is a major class of hydrometeor, but it is distinguished from cloud, fog, dew, rime, frost, etc., in that it must fall. It is distinguished from cloud and virga in that it must reach the ground.
nounThe amount of water precipitated in any form.
Sentence Examples
There is a high chance of precipitation.
The areas with lowest precipitation are on the leeward side of the mountains.
Tomorrow we expect variable weather with a likely chance of precipitation.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The weather forecast predicted heavy ____ for the entire weekend, causing flooding.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The weather forecast predicted heavy ____ over the weekend, with possible flooding in low-lying areas.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French précipitation, from Latin praecipitātiō, praecipitātiōnem. By surface analysis, precipitate + -ion.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Some rain was expected to fall in Pennsylvania and South Jersey on Thursday, but no precipitation made it to the rest of New Jersey, New York City and most of New England -- all regions in desperate need of moisture following an extremely dry fall."
— 2024 November 15, Julia Jacobo, “Updated drought map shows worsening conditions in Northeast as fire danger persists”, in ABC News, archived from the original on 27 Nov 2024:
"This type of bio-inspired material utilizes microbial calcite precipitation to heal cracks that develop autonomously, thereby enhancing the material’s durability and reducing maintenance costs."
— 2024 October 10, Tiana Milović et al., “Enhancing Compressive Strength of Cement by Indigenous Individual and Co-Culture Bacillus Bacteria”, in Materials, volume 17, number 20, →DOI, archived from the original on 24 Feb 2025:
"Immediately on returning home, highly satisfied with the result of his visit to Mrs. Belmour, Melliphant found on his table a letter from Sir Howard, over which he cast his eyes with precipitation."
— 1838, [Letitia Elizabeth] Landon (indicated as editor), chapter V, in Duty and Inclination: […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 49:
"The young man thanked me, and took his leave with some little precipitation, after declining a glass of liquor."
— 1859 December 13, Charles Dickens, “The Mortals in the House”, in Charles Dickens, editor, The Haunted House. The Extra Christmas Number of All the Year Round […], volume II, London: […] C[harles] Whiting, […], →OCLC, page 6, column 1:
"[…] had acted with some precipitation and had probably started out upon a wild-goose chase."
— 1933, Dorothy L. Sayers, Murder Must Advertise:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The weather forecast predicted heavy ____ for the entire weekend, causing flooding.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The weather forecast predicted heavy ____ over the weekend, with possible flooding in low-lying areas.