Word
precipitation
Phoneticspre·cip·i·ta·tion, stress on the fourth syllable
US/pɹɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃən/
UK/pɹɪsˌɪpɪtˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01rain, snow, or hail
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. any form of water that falls from the sky to the ground, such as rain, snow, or hail.
n. any product of the atmospheric water vapour condensation that falls under gravity, including rain, sleet, snow, and hail.
“The weather forecast predicts heavy precipitation in the mountains tomorrow morning.”
“Meteorologists recorded record levels of annual precipitation, with the majority of the moisture arriving during the monsoon season.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the phenomenon; countable when referring to specific events or types.
Antonyms
02chemical solid formation
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. the process where a solid forms and settles at the bottom of a liquid during a chemical reaction.
n. the formation of an insoluble solid from a solution during a chemical reaction or by lowering the solubility of a solute.
Español:precipitación
“Adding the salt caused the precipitation of a white powder at the bottom of the tube.”
“The precipitation of silver chloride occurs immediately upon the addition of sodium chloride to the silver nitrate solution.”
Usage
Often used in the context of laboratory experiments or industrial purification.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03great haste
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Formal · Literary
n. doing something much too quickly without thinking about it first.
n. the quality or state of being precipitate; unwise or rash rapidity of action.
“The general's precipitation in attacking the city led to a terrible defeat.”
“The board cautioned against such precipitation, advising the CEO to wait for the quarterly results before finalising the merger.”
Usage
Usually uncountable in this abstract sense.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“This is about three times the average rainfall in August, and the highest volume of precipitation ever recorded in the country.” “Snowpack acts as a natural reservoir, storing winter precipitation and gradually releasing meltwater into early summer.” “During the HS1 event, as well as during other periods of weakened AMOC, precipitation increased significantly in northeastern Brazil, while it decreased dramatically in the northern Amazon and other regions farther north.” “This is one reason why forecasting precipitation becomes more challenging during major wildfire events.” Etymology
From Middle French précipitation, from Latin praecipitātiō, praecipitātiōnem. By surface analysis, precipitate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/precipitation
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0