1 precipitate | Definition of precipitate
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precipitate

verb
pre路​cip路​i路​tate | \ pri-藞si-p蓹-藢t膩t How to pronounce precipitate (audio) \
precipitated; precipitating

Definition of precipitate

 (Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to throw violently : hurl the quandaries into which the release of nuclear energy has precipitated mankind— A. B. Arons
b : to throw down
2 : to bring about especially abruptly precipitate a scandal that would end with his expulsion— John Cheever
3a : to cause to separate from solution or suspension
b : to cause (vapor) to condense and fall or deposit

intransitive verb

1a : to fall headlong
b : to fall or come suddenly into some condition
2 : to move or act with violent or unwise speed
3a : to separate from solution or suspension
b : to condense from a vapor and fall as rain or snow

precipitate

noun
pre路​cip路​i路​tate | \ pri-藞si-p蓹-t蓹t How to pronounce precipitate (audio) , -藢t膩t\

Definition of precipitate (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a substance separated from a solution or suspension by chemical or physical change usually as an insoluble amorphous or crystalline solid
2 : a product, result, or outcome of some process or action

precipitate

adjective
pre路​cip路​i路​tate | \ pri-藞si-p蓹-t蓹t How to pronounce precipitate (audio) \

Definition of precipitate (Entry 3 of 3)

1a : falling, flowing, or rushing with steep descent
b : precipitous, steep
2 : exhibiting violent or unwise speed
Other Words from precipitate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about precipitate

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Other Words from precipitate

Verb

precipitative \ pri-​藞si-​p蓹-​藢t膩-​tiv How to pronounce precipitative (audio) \ adjective
precipitator \ pri-​藞si-​p蓹-​藢t膩-​t蓹r How to pronounce precipitator (audio) \ noun

Adjective

precipitately adverb
precipitateness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for precipitate

Adjective

precipitate, headlong, abrupt, impetuous, sudden mean showing undue haste or unexpectedness. precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action. the army's precipitate withdrawal headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought. a headlong flight from arrest abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony. an abrupt refusal impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness. an impetuous lover proposing marriage sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action. flew into a sudden rage

Did You Know?

Adjective

Many people, including usage commentators, are insistent about keeping the adjectives "precipitate" and "precipitous" distinct. "Precipitate," they say, means "headlong" or "impetuous"; "precipitous" means only "steep." And, indeed, "precipitate" is used mostly in the "headlong" sense, whereas "precipitous" usually means "steep." But one shouldn't be too hasty about insisting on the distinction. The truth is that "precipitate" and "precipitous" have had a tendency to overlap for centuries. Lexicographer Samuel Johnson, in his dictionary of 1755, defined "precipitate" as "steeply falling," "headlong," and "hasty," while "precipitous" was "headlong; steep," and "hasty." Noah Webs

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