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

Atmospheric ozone pollution and acid rain would often damage crops, McBride said. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025

In the 1970s, acid rain was one of the most serious environmental threats in North America and Europe. —Benji Jones, Vox, 10 Mar. 2025

Scientists and public health officials have long tracked the pollutants that cause smog, acid rain, and other environmental health hazards and shared them with the public through the local Air Quality Index. —Katharine Gammon, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2025

Coal emissions can also lead to health issues, including respiratory illness, lung disease, acid rain, smog, and neurological and developmental damage. —Kelly Livingston, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for acid rain

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

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