What is the term for the water cycle process of water vapor turning back into liquid?

The correct term for the process of water vapor turning back into liquid is condensation. This process occurs when water vapor in the atmosphere cools and changes from a gas to a liquid state, which can lead to the formation of clouds. When the water droplets in the clouds become large enough, they can fall to the ground as precipitation, such as rain or snow. Each step in the water cycle plays a role in the natural movement of water; however, condensation specifically refers to the transition of water vapor back into liquid form, thus closing the loop in the cycle.

Other options describe different processes within the water cycle. Evaporation refers to the transition of water from liquid to gas, precipitation pertains to water falling from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, and transpiration involves the release of water vapor from plants into the air. Each of these processes is crucial to understanding the broader water cycle, but condensation is distinctly focused on the conversion of vapor back to liquid.