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Synonyms

acid rain

American  
[as-id reyn] / ˈæs ɪd ˈreɪn /

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 British  

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
acid rain Cultural  

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

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

Etymology

Origin of acid rain

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Clean Air Act required the use of cleaner coal and technology to remove pollutants to prevent acid rain and other harms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

Similar side effects could result from artificial sulfate releases, including acid rain and soil contamination.

From Science Daily • Oct. 21, 2025

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

From Salon • Dec. 12, 2024

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 • Apr. 22, 2024

She holds the nozzle away from her body like it’s a hose of acid rain.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.