What is the term for precipitation that freezes solid before it hits the ground?

Sleet is the correct term for precipitation that freezes into ice pellets before reaching the ground. It occurs when raindrops fall through a layer of freezing air, which causes them to solidify into small ice particles. Sleet usually bounces when it hits a surface, creating a distinct sound and texture in comparison to other forms of precipitation.

Hail, on the other hand, forms during strong thunderstorms and consists of ice balls that are significantly larger than sleet, often varying in size from a pea to a golf ball or even larger. Drizzle refers to very light rain consisting of water droplets that do not freeze, while snow is formed when water vapor in the atmosphere freezes into crystalline structures. Thus, sleet is the only option that fits the definition of precipitation that freezes before it reaches the ground.