ozone

noun

ˈō-ˌzōn 

1

: a triatomic very reactive form of oxygen that is a bluish irritating gas of pungent odor, that is a major air pollutant in the lower atmosphere but a beneficial component of the upper atmosphere, and that is used for oxidizing, bleaching, disinfecting, and deodorizing

2

: pure and refreshing air

relished the ozone of morning

ozonic

ō-ˈzō-nik  -ˈzä- 

adjective

Examples of ozone in a Sentence

Scientists are concerned about ozone depletion.

A light breeze filled the rooms of our seaside cottage with ozone.

Recent Examples on the Web

Burning fossil fuels releases pollutants that form fine particles and ground-level ozone, increasing risks of heart and lung disease and premature death. — Akshaya Jha, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Only ozone shows clear progress away from the planetary boundary as a result of the success of the Montreal Protocol, which set up the phasing out of the chemicals that erode Earth’s protective ozone layer. — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2026

Rather than filtering contaminants out and concentrating them into waste, this method uses ozone gas and naturally occurring microbes to break contaminants down instead of just isolating them. — Piper Heath, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

There are more stringent ozone standards that are still not being met, and the district is hoping to reach those levels within the next six years. — James Taylor, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

German Ozon, from Greek ozōn, present participle of ozein to smell — more at odor

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ozone

• ozone-friendly
• ozone hole
• ozone layer

Rhymes for ozone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids Definition

ozone

noun

ˈō-ˌzōn 

1

: a form of oxygen that is a bluish irritating sharp-smelling gas containing three atoms per molecule, and that is used especially in disinfecting, deodorizing, and bleaching

2

: pure and refreshing air

Medical Definition

ozone

noun

ˈō-ˌzōn 

: a triatomic very reactive form of oxygen that is a bluish irritating gas of pungent odor, that is formed naturally in the atmosphere by a photochemical reaction and is a major air pollutant in the lower atmosphere but a beneficial component of the upper atmosphere, and that is used for oxidizing, bleaching, disinfecting, and deodorizing

ozonic

ō-ˈzō-nik  -ˈzän-ik 

adjective