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

Example Sentences

Scientists are concerned about ozone depletion.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

These days, most tabloid column inches are dedicated to the credibility of her Goopian self-care gimmicks—hello rectal ozone therapy, jade eggs, and magic mushroom seminars. —Laura Hawkins, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2023

These days, most tabloid column inches are dedicated to the credibility of her Goopian self-care gimmicks— hello, rectal ozone therapy, jade eggs, and magic mushroom seminars. —Laura Hawkins, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2023

Gwyneth Paltrow reveals 'weirdest wellness thing' she's ever done: Rectal ozone therapy Previous:Gwyneth Paltrow denies causing Utah ski crash What is Gwyneth Paltrow accused of in the Utah ski crash? —Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2023

Nichols undergoes intravenous ozone therapy and ultraviolet blood irradiation, and also takes naltrexone, a drug used to treat opioid use disorder. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2023

If the ozone were to disappear, dangerous solar ultraviolet light would make it to the Earth’s surface. —Don Lincoln, CNN, 13 Jan. 2023

The global average amount of ozone 18 miles high in the atmosphere won’t be back to 1980 pre-thinning levels until about 2040, the report said. —Seth Borenstein, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Jan. 2023

Recovery of ozone over the Arctic and the rest of the world are expected much sooner: by 2045 and 2040 respectively. —Jeremy Beaman, Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2023

The global average amount of ozone 18 miles (30 kilometers) high in the atmosphere won’t be back to 1980 pre-thinning levels until about 2040, the report said. —Time, 9 Jan. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ozone

• ozone layer
• ozone-friendly
• ozone hole

• ozone layer
• ozone-friendly
• ozone hole

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