Definition of 'acid rain'

Word Frequency

acid rain

uncountable noun

Acid rain is rain polluted by acid that has been released into the atmosphere from factories and other industrial processes. Acid rain is harmful to the environment.

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acid rain

noun

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

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acid rain in American English

rain or other precipitation with a high concentration of acids produced by sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and other such gases that result from the combustion of fossil fuels: it has a destructive effect on plant and aquatic life, buildings, etc.

Example sentences containing 'acid rain'

This cooled the planet and caused acid rain.

The Sun (2009)

The photograph at right shows acid rain damage on Mt.

Garraty, John Arthur The American Nation: A History of the United States to 1877 (1995)

It also led to high sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere, global warming and acid rain.

Michael Boulter EXTINCTION: Evolution and the End of Man (2002)

In Vancouver acid rain burnt through clothes.

Times, Sunday Times (2007)

Nor is acid rain always, and universally, a bad thing.

Radford, Tim & Leggett, Jeremy The Crisis of Life on Earth - our legacy from the second millenium (1990)

The eruption is also spewing invisible sulphur dioxide gas, which is notorious for causing respiratory problems, smog and acid rain.

Times, Sunday Times (2014)

The burning of fossil fuels, particularly since the industrial revolution, has led to problems of acid rain in many countries of the world.

Jilbert, John Geography Basic Facts (1983)

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Translations for 'acid rain'

British English: acid rain /ˈæsɪd reɪn/ NOUN
Acid rain is rain that damages plants, rivers, and buildings because it contains acid released into the atmosphere from factories and other industrial processes.