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precipitation level

precipitation level

3.4
The amount of rain or snow that falls in a place during a period
  • noun
  • /prɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃən ˈlɛvəl/
translation icon : nivel de precipitación
  • First and most common are meteorological definitions, which usually compare precipitation levels to a long-term average and refer to a specified degree of dryness for a given duration.

Examples

  • Finally, agricultural drought can threaten farmers even when precipitation levels indicate that meteorological drought is not occurring.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The precipitation level in this region reached an unprecedented 30 inches last year.

  • A poor harvest can result, even though precipitation levels appear adequate to meet crop needs.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Farmers are concerned about the precipitation level, which has been lower than normal this season.

  • Meteorologists reported that the precipitation level for the month was significantly above average.

Synonyms

precipitation
vsprecipitation level
37 3.5

Water like rain, snow, or hail that falls from the sky

focuses on the measured amount of those forms over time or place
pluviosity
vsprecipitation level
  • Specialized
1 9.9

The amount of rain that falls in a place in a month or year

includes all types of falling water not only rain when measured

How Much

precipitation level
3.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

precipitation + level

The meaning 'the amount of rain, snow, or other precipitation' is directly and predictably derived from combining 'precipitation' (water that falls as rain/snow) with 'level' (a measured amount or stage). This noun–noun measurement pattern is common and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Precipitation level comes from the simple image of measuring how much precipitation (rain or snow) collects in a container, where the level in the container shows how much fell. That's why it means the 'amount' of rain, snow, or other precipitation measured in a place or time.