ozone layer

noun

: an atmospheric layer at heights of about 20 to 30 miles (32 to 48 kilometers) that is normally characterized by high ozone content which blocks most solar ultraviolet radiation from entry into the lower atmosphere

Examples of ozone layer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 2016 Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which commits countries to phasing out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – greenhouse gases that don't harm the ozone layer like CFCs, but still trap heat in the atmosphere – has been ratified by 164 parties so far. —New Atlas, 20 Sep. 2025

The 2024 ozone hole also formed relatively slowly and recovered relatively quickly—a good sign for the future of the ozone layer, according to the report. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2025

The ozone layer is a thin shield of gas located 10 to 50 kilometers above Earth’s surface in the stratosphere, which is the second major layer of the atmosphere, sitting above the troposphere and extending up to 50 kilometers. —Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

This phenomenon is caused by sunlight passing through the Earth’s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, Russell said. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ozone layer

• assayer
• ballplayer
• betrayer
• bilayer
• bricklayer
• conveyer
• conveyor
• purveyor
• ratepayer
• soothsayer
• surveyor
• taxpayer

Kids Definition

ozone layer

noun

: a layer of the earth's atmosphere at heights of about 20 to 30 miles (32 to 48 kilometers) that is normally characterized by high ozone content which blocks most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation from entry into the lower atmosphere