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Precipitation

/prɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃən/

nounB2

Definition

Precipitation means any form of water that falls from clouds to the ground. This can include rain, snow, sleet, or hail. It happens when water vapor in the air cools and becomes liquid or solid water that falls to earth.

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See It in Action

Water falling from the atmosphere in any form

  • •The weather forecast says precipitation will start this afternoon.
  • •Precipitation can be rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
  • •Farmers depend on precipitation for their crops to grow.

The process of water falling from clouds

  • •Scientists study precipitation to understand climate patterns.
  • •Precipitation forms when air cools and water vapor changes to liquid or ice.

Make It Stick

  • ✓Think of "precipitation" like "rain" (A1 word), but it includes many types of water falling from the sky, not just rain.
  • ✓Picture clouds full of water, then drops or ice falling down to the earth.
  • ✓It's the feeling when you see water coming from the sky, whether wet rain or soft snowflakes.
  • ✓Sounds like "pre-SEE-pi-TAY-shun" → imagine water "preparing to see" the ground as it falls.
  • ✓Think of the seasons: in winter, precipitation can be snow; in summer, it is often rain.
  • ✓NOT like "dew" (which stays on plants without falling), precipitation actually falls from the sky.
  • ✓NOT like "humidity" (water in the air), precipitation is water that leaves the air and comes down.
  • ✓NOT like "flood" (too much water on the ground), precipitation is the cause but not the result itself.

Try Other Words

  • •Rainfall: amount of rain that falls (Use when talking only about rain, not snow or other forms)
  • •Snowfall: amount of snow that falls (Use when talking only about snow)
  • •Drizzle: light rain (Use when rain is very light and soft)
  • •Hail: small balls of ice falling (Use when talking about ice precipitation)

Unboxing

  • •Word parts: "pre-" (before) + "cipit" (from Latin "capere" meaning to fall or take) + "-ation" (a noun suffix meaning action or process)
  • •Etymology: From Latin "praecipitatio," meaning "a falling or throwing down"
  • •Historical development: Used since the 1600s in English to describe falling water from the sky
  • •Modern usage: Commonly used in weather reports and science to describe all forms of water falling from clouds

Reflect & Connect

•How does precipitation affect your daily activities or plans?
•Can you think of places where precipitation is very rare or very common? How does this change life there?

Fill in the blanks

1.Precipitation happens when water vapor ___ into liquid or ice and falls to the ground.
2.When the temperature is low, precipitation often ___ as snow instead of rain.
3.Unlike humidity, precipitation means water is ___ from the air to the earth.
4.Farmers watch the amount of precipitation because it ___ their crops.
5.Precipitation can come in many forms, such as rain, snow, or ___.
6.Heavy precipitation can ___ the streets and cause problems.
7.The weather report predicted precipitation ___ the afternoon, so bring an umbrella.