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precipice

noun
prec·​i·​pice | \ ˈpre-s(É™-)pÉ™s How to pronounce precipice (audio) \

Definition of precipice

1 : a very steep or overhanging place
2 : a hazardous situation broadly : brink
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about precipice

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Examples of precipice in a Sentence

Twenty years ago, it seemed unlikely that black and white South Africans could avoid a cataclysmic struggle. How did we manage to turn back from the precipice and join one another in the long walk to a nonracial democracy? — F. W. De Klerk, Time, 18 Apr. 2005 These are the brave, friendly guys and gals who flip, twist, spin and somersault themselves backward into the sky and somehow land on a horrifyingly steep precipice without rearranging their rib cages or breaking their faces. — Curry Kirkpatrick, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 1994 … the helpless Cambodians were bused from the safety of a refugee camp to an outcropping along the border several hundred miles to the northeast, where they were forced over the precipice into a wild and inaccessible part of Cambodia from which it would be almost impossible to return to Thailand. — Barbara Crossette, New York Times Book Review, 2 Aug. 1987 He stood on the edge of the precipice. scaled the steep precipice with the ease of an experienced climber
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Simply put, friendships provided the political glue that bound together a nation on the precipice of secession. — Thomas Balcerski, Smithsonian, "The 175-Year History of Speculating About President James Buchanan’s Bachelorhood," 28 Aug. 2019 Based on their unfair labor practices and unreasonable contract demands, over 3,000 Kaiser workers in Colorado stand on the precipice of a potential strike. — Shelly Fowlkes, The Denver Post, "Guest Commentary: Over 3,000 Colorado Kaiser frontline workers ready to strike for quality patient care," 23 Aug. 2019 The Chicago White Sox continue to be a team on the precipice of success, though with each passing year, doubt creeps in. — Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press, "Kansas City Royals are ahead of Detroit Tigers in rebuild phase, too," 11 Aug. 2019 New Japan is also on the precipice of crowning the 2019 G1 Climax winner. — Justin Barrasso, SI.com, "The Week in Wrestling: Kofi Kingston Still Searching for Signature Moment as Champ," 7 Aug. 2019 Her solid play has halted plans of a rebuild and has the Lynx on the precipice of a playoff spot despite being without longtime stars Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen and Rebekkah Brunson for the first season in years. — Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, "Sylvia Fowles is a six-time All Star and has become Lynx’s ‘Mama Syl’," 26 July 2019 David Plowden’s shots of lonely, mostly Midwestern roads set a tone here, as do Melissa Ann Pinney’s looks at women on the precipice. — Steve Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "‘Go Down Moses’ at Chicago’s MoCP moves from contemplation to cacophony (and back)," 24 July 2019 Scientists warn that the area is on the precipice of an environmental crisis. — Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, "The price of ‘progress’ in the Amazon," 28 June 2019 For the first time in decades, drug-overdose deaths in the U.S. are on the precipice of declining, The Wall Street Journal says. — STAT, "Pharmalittle: Judge appears to back push for opioid settlement; the CRISPR patent fight lives on," 26 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'precipice.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of precipice

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for precipice

French, from Middle French, from Latin praecipitium, from praecipit-, praeceps headlong, from prae- + caput head — more at head

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More Definitions for precipice

precipice

noun
How to pronounce precipice (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of precipice

: a very steep side of a mountain or cliff
: a point where danger, trouble, or difficulty begins

See the full definition for precipice in the English Language Learners Dictionary

precipice

noun
prec·​i·​pice | \ ˈpre-sÉ™-pÉ™s How to pronounce precipice (audio) \

Kids Definition of precipice

: a very steep side of a mountain or cliff

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More from Merriam-Webster on precipice

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for precipice

Spanish Central: Translation of precipice

Nglish: Translation of precipice for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of precipice for Arabic Speakers

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