precipice

American  

[pres-uh-pis] / ˈprɛs ə pɪs /

noun

1. a cliff with a vertical, nearly vertical, or overhanging face.

2. a situation of great peril.

   on the precipice of war.

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precipice British  

/ ˈprɛsɪpɪs /

noun

1. 1. the steep sheer face of a cliff or crag

   2. the cliff or crag itself

2. a precarious situation

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Other Word Forms

• precipiced adjective
• unprecipiced adjective

Etymology

Origin of precipice

1590–1600; < Middle French < Latin praecipitium steep place, equivalent to praecipit- (stem of praeceps ) steep, headlong ( prae- pre- + -cipit-, combining form of caput head; caput ) + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

That’s what the industry is on the precipice of, and the pace investors should watch for from all the self-driving car companies.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

The influencer and reality star was on the precipice of making her debut on the dating series before the latest crossover attempt by a member of ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ was derailed.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

But the fact that these investors must now unwind their hedges could help keep the market off the precipice by requiring some forced buying.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

But we’re teetering on a precipice, experts say.

From Slate • Feb. 17, 2026

All I wanted to do was turn around, go home, and never find myself at this precipice again for such a stupid reason.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore

Related Words

• bluff
• cliff
• crag