ozone layer

noun

Definition of ozone layer

: 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

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Antarctic winds are growing in strength due to the thinning of the ozone layer and the build-up of greenhouse gases, but their impact on the ocean has never been factored in to climate models. — Rob Picheta, CNN, "Boaty McBoatface makes significant climate change discovery on first mission," 18 June 2019 The progressive thinning of the ozone layer has made the already hot summers increasingly steamy. — Samantha Lopez, Houston Chronicle, "Six charts show how Houston summers are getting hotter," 11 June 2019 Supernova explosions could obliterate Earth’s ozone layer, for instance, which would wreak havoc on marine plankton and coral reefs. — Quanta Magazine, "How Nearby Stellar Explosions Could Have Killed Off Large Animals," 15 Jan. 2019 In the last several decades, the winds over the Southern Ocean have been getting stronger, mostly because a hole in the ozone layer above Antarctica has led to an increase of greenhouse gasses. — Chase Purdy, Quartz, "Boaty McBoatface is redefining how we understand the impact of climate change," 19 June 2019 Thanks to the hole in the ozone layer and the way people have increased greenhouse gasses on the planet, stronger winds are blowing over the Southern Ocean. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Boaty McBoatface Is Now Studying Global Warming," 18 June 2019 The hole in the ozone layer was discovered in 1985. — Samantha Lopez, Houston Chronicle, "Six charts show how Houston summers are getting hotter," 11 June 2019 In 1991 the world was talking about the dangers of chlorofluorocarbons and mounting damage to the ozone layer. — Jessica Gelt, latimes.com, "Who brought a 36-foot orb into Disney Hall for ‘Atlas’? Yup, that guy again," 10 June 2019 This agreement, the Montreal Protocol, has been ratified by every United Nations country and has led, in recent years, to the ozone layer actually making a significant comeback. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Investigation Finds China Behind Ozone-Damaging Mystery," 9 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ozone layer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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11 Jul 2019

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The first known use of ozone layer was in 1927

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More Definitions for ozone layer

ozone layer

noun

English Language Learners Definition of ozone layer

: a layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere that prevents dangerous radiation from the Sun from reaching the surface of the Earth

See the full definition for ozone layer in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ozone layer

noun

Kids Definition of ozone layer

: a layer of the earth's upper atmosphere that is characterized by high ozone content which blocks most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation from entering the lower atmosphere