precipitation

[ pri-sip-i-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of precipitating; state of being precipitated.
2. a casting down or falling headlong.
3. a hastening or hurrying in movement, procedure, or action.
4. sudden haste.
5. unwise or rash rapidity.
6. Meteorology.
   1. falling products of condensation in the atmosphere, as rain, snow, or hail.
   2. the amount of rain, snow, hail, etc., that has fallen at a given place within a given period, usually expressed in inches or centimeters of water.
7. Chemistry, Physics. the precipitating of a substance from a solution.

precipitation

/ prɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. meteorol
   1. rain, snow, sleet, dew, etc, formed by condensation of water vapour in the atmosphere
   2. the deposition of these on the earth's surface
   3. the amount precipitated
2. the production or formation of a chemical precipitate
3. the act of precipitating or the state of being precipitated
4. rash or undue haste
5. spiritualism the appearance of a spirit in bodily form; materialization

precipitation

/ prĭ-sĭp′ĭ-tā′shən /

1. A form of water, such as rain, snow, or sleet, that condenses from the atmosphere, becomes too heavy to remain suspended, and falls to the Earth's surface. Different atmospheric conditions are responsible for the different forms of precipitation.
2. The process by which a substance is separated out of a solution as a solid. Precipitation occurs either by the action of gravity or through a chemical reaction that forms an insoluble compound out of two or more soluble compounds.

precipitation

1. In meteorology , the fall of water, ice, or snow deposited on the surface of the Earth from the atmosphere . In chemistry , a chemical reaction in a solution in which a solid material is formed and subsequently falls, as a precipitate , to the bottom of the container.

Other Words From

• nonpre·cipi·tation noun
• self-pre·cipi·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of precipitation¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin praecipitātiōn-, stem of praecipitātiō “a casting down headlong,” equivalent to praecipitāt(us) “cast down headlong” (past participle of praecipitāre precipitate ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

The effect is even further fueled by our oceans, which absorb more than 90 percent of the heat caused by burning fossil fuels, producing water vapor that increases precipitation.

From Salon

The analysis found precipitation patterns -- particularly dry conditions in the 10 days before application or wet conditions 10 days after application -- also affected herbicide effectiveness.

From Science Daily

Officials are hopeful the region will only see minor flooding, as few areas have seen any real rainfall this season, so soils should be able to absorb significant precipitation.

From Los Angeles Times

While total annual rain and snowfall levels may not change dramatically, long periods between intense precipitation events allow the soil to dry and become more compact.

From Science Daily

Any snow would therefore depend greatly on the precise track of the low pressure, the heaviness of the precipitation and the elevation of the land.

From BBC

Related Words

• drizzle
• rain
• rainfall
• rainstorm
• sleet
• snow
• storm