acid rain

[ as-id reyn ]

noun

1. precipitation, as rain, snow, or sleet, containing relatively high concentrations of acid-forming chemicals, as the pollutants from coal smoke, chemical manufacturing, and smelting, that have been released into the atmosphere and combined with water vapor: harmful to the environment.

acid rain

noun

1. rain that contains a high concentration of pollutants, chiefly sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, released into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal or oil

acid rain

1. A type of precipitation made up of dilute acids , primarily a by-product of heavy industry.

Notes

Acid rain is a result of the combination of water with chemicals released into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels .

Word History and Origins

Origin of acid rain¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

“At that time, people were concerned about acid rain.”

From New York Times

Part of the reason for concern is that when sulfur dioxide leaves the stratosphere and sinks into the lower atmosphere, it can potentially fall as acid rain.

From Los Angeles Times

He was also passionate about environmental causes, leading a global treaty to protect the ozone layer and signing a pact with the U.S. to reduce the pollution that causes acid rain.

From Seattle Times

Internationally, he pushed for Reagan to sign a treaty to curb acid rain and an agreement to modernise Canada's air defence systems.

From BBC

For example, the U.S. regulated industrial sulfur and nitrogen dioxide emissions in 1990, but only after we had determined that they caused acid rain and acidified many water bodies in the Northeast.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• carbon dioxide
• fog
• smoke
• soot