precipitant

1 of 2

adjective

pre·​cip·​i·​tant pri-ˈsi-pə-tənt How to pronounce precipitant (audio)
: precipitate
precipitantly adverb
precipitantness noun

precipitant

2 of 2

noun

: a precipitating agent
especially : one that causes the formation of a precipitate

Examples of precipitant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
With purging, this process is accelerated and there is usually a precipitant such as a new product or treatment. — Twiggy Jalloh, Vogue, 30 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1608, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1685, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of precipitant was in 1608

Rhymes for precipitant

See All Rhymes for precipitant

Browse Nearby Words

precipitancy
precipitant
precipitate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Precipitant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precipitant. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

precipitant

noun
pre·​cip·​i·​tant pri-ˈsip-ət-ənt How to pronounce precipitant (audio)
: something that precipitates
especially : a chemical agent that causes the formation of a precipitate
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All