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acid rain
noun
: rain that has increased acidity caused by environmental factors (such as atmospheric pollutants)
Examples of acid rain in a Sentence
trees damaged by acid rain
Recent Examples on the Web
Set in a world ravaged by diseases and acid rains, the film follows a mute gravedigger who joins forces with fellow survivors to avenge his colleague’s death at the hands of cannibals.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 May 2024
All these eruptions emitted prodigious quantities of CO₂ and sulfur dioxide and may have damaged the ozone layer and stressed vegetation with acid rain and mercury.
—Howard Lee, Ars Technica, 25 July 2023
And has the makeup of these communities changed over time, in response to climate change, acid rain and invasive species?
—Maddie Bender, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2024
But the core samples show signs of human progress, too, reflecting the end of above-ground nuclear testing, improvements in air quality, and curbing of acid rain.
—Peter Weber, The Week, 21 June 2023
Mercury and acid Fox and colleagues proposed that acid rain from volcanic gases may have contributed to the tree loss.
—Howard Lee, Ars Technica, 8 Feb. 2023
So if insects, mercury, acid rain and fog, ozone damage, and even wildfires were not enough, what destroyed the terrestrial ecosystem?
—Howard Lee, Ars Technica, 8 Feb. 2023
Climate change holds the environment down while it is kicked by other stressors like acid rain, mercury, or even plagues of insects until ecosystems break.
—Howard Lee, Ars Technica, 8 Feb. 2023
The asteroid impact also sparked wildfires, tsunamis and acid rain.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'acid rain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1845, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near acid rain
Cite this Entry
“Acid rain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acid%20rain. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
acid rain
noun
: rain with increased acidity that is caused by environmental factors (as atmospheric pollutants)
Medical Definition
acid rain
noun
: acid precipitation especially in the form of rain
More from Merriam-Webster on acid rain
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about acid rain
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