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
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
Above-average precipitation also is expected during the same timeframe, which could ease drought conditions across the state.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
But precipitation is expected to be above average for all three states during the same time period.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Increase in precipitation could leave areas with aging infrastructure at greater risk of flooding—especially in regions that were not built to withstand rain or snow.
—Simmone Shah, TIME, 26 Feb. 2025
Half of California's precipitation comes in December, January and February.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precipitation
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David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
But precipitation is expected to be above average for all three states during the same time period.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
Increase in precipitation could leave areas with aging infrastructure at greater risk of flooding—especially in regions that were not built to withstand rain or snow.
—Simmone Shah, TIME, 26 Feb. 2025
Half of California's precipitation comes in December, January and February.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precipitation
Cite this Entry
“Precipitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precipitation. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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