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.

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

“Blade Runner” — “the official nightmare of Los Angeles,” according to filmmaker and critic Thom Andersen — depicts a dark, heavily polluted urban center with flying vehicles and residents drenched in a constant downpour of acid rain.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Environmental Protection Agency is through the Clean Air Act, which does regulate sulfur dioxide as a pollutant and as a contributor to acid rain.

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on 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.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• carbon dioxide 
• fog 
• smoke 
• soot