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

The regulations were intended to reduce air pollution and acid rain precursors mainly from trucks and buses. — Jamie Webster, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

Red spruce forests once covered a million acres of the central Appalachians, before being reduced by logging, fire, acid rain, and wind damage from the loss of sheltering trees. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

But sulfur dioxide can have negative impacts, including contributing to acid rain and ozone layer depletion. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026

But even alkaline garden soil may become acidic over time as a result of environmental factors, such as acid rain, or the overuse of synthetic fertilizers and other soil amendments. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for acid rain

• aeroplane
• appertain
• ascertain
• capitaine
• cassegrain
• cellophane
• chatelaine
• counterpane
• entertain
• halothane
• hurricane
• hyperplane

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