precipitation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'precipitation' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use the word 'precipitation' to refer to rain, sleet, snow, etc. Example sentence: The forecast calls for a lot of precipitation over the next few days.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Using a powerful electron microscope to watch the crystals form, he realised that he could manipulate their precipitation by interrupting the heat treatment.The strongest aluminium alloys have particularly fine precipitates that are widely distributed in tiny clusters.

The Economist

In short, it appears that humans are contributing to the strength of high pressure ridges off California's coast, which will tend to reduce the amount of precipitation in the state.

The Guardian

As a native Floridian, I am unabashed in my enchantment with frozen precipitation.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was much talk of the 15 Wainwrights of that week; only 199 to go before I'm 70! Stephen Bibby What could compensate for being lashed by incessant Scottish precipitation for an entire day, huddled in the cockpit of a sailboat dressed like an Atlantic trawlerman on an almost windless day?

The Guardian - Travel

We also find that the number of changes in precipitation extremes was modest, which is somewhat surprising as our previous work showed a predominance of increases in precipitation extremes in major US urban areas," said lead research author Vimal Mishra from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar.

The Guardian

Despite the well-recognized interdependence between temperature and precipitation … little attention has been paid to risk analysis of concurrent extreme droughts and heatwaves … We argue that the global warming and the associated increase in extreme temperatures substantially increase the chance of concurrent droughts and heatwaves.

The Guardian

What's interesting is that the blue oak data showed that while precipitation levels in California have been low over the past 3 years, the levels haven't been unprecedented.

The Guardian

A high pressure ridge sitting of California's coast for several years (known as the "Ridiculously Resilient Ridge" for its persistence) has been a primary factor contributing to the low levels of precipitation.

The Guardian

Water levels in that region's vast Columbia river basin remain close to normal thanks to heavier precipitation along its headwaters in British Columbia, according to the Bonneville Power Administration, which delivers power to Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

The Guardian

Around 17% of urban areas were found to have experienced a significant increase in daily rainfall and 10% experienced a significant increase in annual maximum precipitation.

The Guardian

The authors attribute 75% of the heat extremes, and 18% of the precipitation extremes, to observed global warming.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “precipitation” when referring to the general concept of atmospheric water release, rather than a specific form of it.

Common error

Avoid using "precipitation" to describe the formation of dew or frost. "Precipitation" refers to water falling from the atmosphere, while condensation is the process of water vapor becoming liquid on a surface.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "precipitation" is as a noun. It denotes the process or result of water falling from the atmosphere. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correctly used word in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "precipitation" is a common and grammatically correct noun that refers to water falling from the atmosphere, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is used across various contexts, including news, science, and business, and maintains a neutral tone. For more specific situations, consider using related terms like "rainfall" or "snowfall". Remember that "precipitation" describes water falling from the atmosphere, whereas condensation refers to water vapor becoming liquid on a surface.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rainfall

Refers specifically to liquid precipitation, commonly used and easily understood.

snowfall

Indicates precipitation in the form of snow, highlighting a specific type of precipitation.

hail

Specifically refers to precipitation of ice pellets; highlights a particular, sometimes severe, type of precipitation.

sleet

Describes a mix of rain and snow; details a specific type of winter precipitation.

downpour

Emphasizes the heavy and intense nature of rainfall.

moisture

Related to water in the atmosphere, but doesn't necessarily imply a falling event.

atmospheric moisture

Highlights presence of water in the air without specific implication that it's falling.

water release

General description that includes release of water from the atmosphere.

weather event

A very general term that relates as a broad descriptor of any atmospheric event.

hydrometeor

A scientific term encompassing all forms of water particles in the atmosphere, offering a more technical alternative.

FAQs

How to use "precipitation" in a sentence?

You can use "precipitation" to describe any form of water falling from the sky, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. For example, "The forecast calls for heavy precipitation tomorrow."

What can I say instead of "precipitation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "rainfall", "snowfall", or "downpour" to describe specific types of precipitation.

What's the difference between "precipitation" and "rainfall"?

"Precipitation" is a general term for all forms of water falling from the atmosphere, whereas "rainfall" specifically refers to liquid precipitation (rain).

Is it correct to say "lack of precipitation"?

Yes, it is correct. "Lack of precipitation" refers to a period without rain, snow, or other forms of atmospheric water release, which can lead to drought conditions.