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
The week’s snow forecast starts Wednesday, as chances for precipitation are at 40% with below-freezing temperatures all day, reaching a high near 28.
—
Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2025
Parts of Virginia and West Virginia hit with up to a foot of snow this week were facing a fast melt along with rain and mixed precipitation.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
While still multiple days away, there are still several uncertainties in regards to the timing of precipitation and amount of moisture available for this event.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Feb. 2025
The last time precipitation fell over the valley was seven months ago, on July 13, 2024.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for precipitation 
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Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2025
Parts of Virginia and West Virginia hit with up to a foot of snow this week were facing a fast melt along with rain and mixed precipitation.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
While still multiple days away, there are still several uncertainties in regards to the timing of precipitation and amount of moisture available for this event.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Feb. 2025
The last time precipitation fell over the valley was seven months ago, on July 13, 2024.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for precipitation
Articles Related to precipitation
Dictionary Entries Near precipitation
Cite this Entry
“Precipitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precipitation. Accessed 22 Feb. 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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