# precipitate

/pɹɪˈsɪpɪˌteɪt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/precipitate
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to cause suddenly

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to make something happen much sooner than expected, usually something bad.

For teachers: to cause an event or situation, typically one that is undesirable, to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely.

- The sudden increase in oil prices helped precipitate a national economic crisis.
- The assassination of the archduke served to precipitate a chain of events that led directly to the outbreak of global conflict.

Usage: This is a transitive verb and requires a direct object, usually a noun representing a crisis or change.

### 2. chemistry

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to cause a solid substance to form and separate from a liquid solution.

For teachers: to cause a substance to be deposited in solid form from a solution through a chemical reaction or change in conditions.

- Adding salt to the mixture will precipitate the silver as a white solid.
- The chemist adjusted the pH of the solution to precipitate the proteins for further analysis in the lab.

Usage: Can be used transitively (to precipitate a substance) or intransitively (the substance precipitates).

### 3. done too quickly

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

done very fast and without enough thinking.

For teachers: acting or done with excessive haste or without sufficient deliberation.

- The committee realized that their precipitate decision had caused more problems than it solved.
- The general was criticized for his precipitate withdrawal, which left the remaining allied forces vulnerable to a counter-attack.

Teaching tip: Learners often confuse this adjective with 'precipitous', which usually describes a very steep drop or cliff.

### 4. chemical solid

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the solid material that forms in a liquid during a chemical reaction.

For teachers: a solid substance that is separated from a liquid solution during a chemical reaction.

- A yellow precipitate formed at the bottom of the test tube after the two liquids were mixed.
- The researchers filtered the precipitate from the remaining liquid to weigh the amount of mineral recovered.

## Examples

- The white precipitate formed immediately after the two liquids mixed.
- The technician observed a yellow precipitate forming in the test tube, indicating the presence of lead ions in the sample.
- In the laboratory, the formation of a crystalline precipitate serves as a clear visual indicator that a double displacement reaction has reached completion.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.