# precipitation

/pɹɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃən/ (US) · /pɹɪsˌɪpɪtˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/precipitation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. rain, snow, or hail

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. chemical solid formation

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- 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.

### 3. great haste

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

doing something much too quickly without thinking about it first.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The weather forecast predicts heavy precipitation for tomorrow morning.
- The region receives very little annual precipitation, making it difficult for most crops to survive without irrigation.
- Meteorologists track precipitation patterns to predict potential flooding, as even a slight increase in rainfall can overwhelm local drainage systems during the spring thaw.

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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.