What does "precipitation" mean?

1. (rain, snow, or hail) any form of water that falls from the sky to the ground, such as rain, snow, or hail. 2. (chemical solid formation) the process where a solid forms and settles at the bottom of a liquid during a chemical reaction. 3. (great haste) doing something much too quickly without thinking about it first.

How do you use "precipitation"?

Uncountable when referring to the phenomenon; countable when referring to specific events or types. Often used in the context of laboratory experiments or industrial purification. Usually uncountable in this abstract sense.

precipitation

US //pɹɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃən// UK //pɹɪsˌɪpɪtˈeɪʃən// pre·cip·i·ta·tion

1 rain, snow, or hail (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

any form of water that falls from the sky to the ground, such as rain, snow, or hail.

any product of the atmospheric water vapour condensation that falls under gravity, including rain, sleet, snow, and hail.

Example

The weather forecast predicts heavy precipitation in the mountains tomorrow morning.

Example

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.
- rainfall
- downpour
- drought
- evaporation
2 chemical solid formation (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

the process where a solid forms and settles at the bottom of a liquid during a chemical reaction.

the formation of an insoluble solid from a solution during a chemical reaction or by lowering the solubility of a solute.

Example

Adding the salt caused the precipitation of a white powder at the bottom of the tube.

Example

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.
- sedimentation
- deposit
- dissolution

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3 great haste (n.)
C2 Proficiency Formal Literary

doing something much too quickly without thinking about it first.

the quality or state of being precipitate; unwise or rash rapidity of action.

Example

The general's precipitation in attacking the city led to a terrible defeat.

Example

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.
- haste
- rashness
- hurry
- caution
- deliberation

Origin

From Middle French précipitation, from Latin praecipitātiō, praecipitātiōnem. By surface analysis, precipitate + -ion.