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
Chance of precipitation is 40%.
—
Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Sep. 2025
Flagstaff should expect above normal snowfall and temperatures and slightly-above-normal precipitation.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The chance of precipitation is 30% with showers and thunderstorms possible.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
Climate change is driving temperatures higher, increasing the risk of heat waves, extreme precipitation and rapidly intensifying hurricanes.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precipitation
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show current usage.
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Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Sep. 2025
Flagstaff should expect above normal snowfall and temperatures and slightly-above-normal precipitation.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The chance of precipitation is 30% with showers and thunderstorms possible.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
Climate change is driving temperatures higher, increasing the risk of heat waves, extreme precipitation and rapidly intensifying hurricanes.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 17 Sep. 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 23 Sep. 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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