precipitation
Precipitation is a formal meteorological term referring to any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from the atmosphere and reaches the ground. This includes common weather events such as rain, snow, sleet, and hail.
Examples
3 of 5The weather forecast predicts that we will see some form of precipitation by late afternoon.
The weather report says to expect rain or snow later today.
The tropical rainforest is characterized by high temperatures and significant annual precipitation.
The rainforest is known for being hot and having a lot of rain every year.
Looks like we're finally getting some precipitation after this long dry spell.
It seems like it is finally going to rain after a long time without it.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'pre-cipitation'. In the water cycle, this is the step that happens 'pre' (before) the water collects in rivers and lakes.
Quick Quiz
The meteorologist predicted that the ______ would turn from rain into snow as the temperature dropped.
Correct!
The correct answer is: a
Examples
The weather forecast predicts that we will see some form of precipitation by late afternoon.
everydayThe weather report says to expect rain or snow later today.
The tropical rainforest is characterized by high temperatures and significant annual precipitation.
formalThe rainforest is known for being hot and having a lot of rain every year.
Looks like we're finally getting some precipitation after this long dry spell.
informalIt seems like it is finally going to rain after a long time without it.
Climate change models suggest a shift in the global distribution of precipitation, leading to more frequent floods in certain regions.
academicScientific models show that where rain falls globally is changing, which will cause more flooding in some areas.
Our construction schedule must remain flexible to account for delays caused by heavy precipitation.
businessThe building plan needs to be able to change if heavy rain or snow stops work.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
forms of precipitation
The different types of water that fall (rain, snow, etc.).
chance of precipitation
The likelihood that it will rain or snow.
frozen precipitation
Snow, sleet, or hail.
Often Confused With
Condensation is the process of water vapor turning into liquid droplets (forming clouds), while precipitation is the actual falling of those droplets to earth.
Usage Notes
Use 'precipitation' in scientific, academic, or formal contexts when you want to refer to rain, snow, and hail collectively. In casual conversation, it is much more common to use the specific word for the type of weather occurring (e.g., 'rain' or 'snow').
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'precipitation' as a verb. While the verb 'precipitate' exists, it usually means to cause something to happen suddenly in a social or political context, rather than meaning 'to rain'.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'pre-cipitation'. In the water cycle, this is the step that happens 'pre' (before) the water collects in rivers and lakes.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'praecipitatio', meaning 'a falling headlong' or 'casting down'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking countries, 'chance of precipitation' is a standard phrase used in daily televised weather forecasts.
Quick Quiz
The meteorologist predicted that the ______ would turn from rain into snow as the temperature dropped.
Correct!
The correct answer is: a
Related Vocabulary
The scientific study of the atmosphere and its phenomena, es...
humidityHumidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the...
sleetSleet is a type of weather where rain and snow fall at the s...
atmosphereThe layer of air and gases that surrounds the Earth or anoth...
evaporationEvaporation is the process where a liquid, like water, turns...
hailHail is a type of weather where small, hard balls of ice fal...
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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