ozone layer

noun

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

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

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See ozone layer defined for kids

Recent Examples of ozone layer from the Web

CFCs and ozone During the 1970s and '80s, evidence had been building that a class of industrial chemicals, the chloro-flurocarbons (CFCs), were damaging the ozone layer, a region of the stratosphere rich in this reactive form of oxygen.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "New measurement confirms: The ozone is coming back," 4 Jan. 2018
Sulfur dioxide, for example, could eat away at the ozone layer or cause acid rain.

— paul voosen, Science | AAAS, "A dusting of salt could cool the planet," 21 Mar. 2018
The ozone layer that protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation continues to thin over populated areas of the world, a new study warns.

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "Ozone layer continues to thin over Earth's populated areas," 7 Feb. 2018
Brokered in the capital of Rwanda, the deal known as the Kigali Amendment is an update to the Montreal Protocol, a landmark 1980s treaty approved by the U.S. Senate curbing the use of chemicals depleting the Earth’s protective ozone layer.

— dino grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: Trump under pressure to keep an Obama-era climate decision he hasn't tried to kill (yet)," 20 Feb. 2018
No one was certain what effect the nuclear explosions had had on the ozone layer.

— nan randall, The Atlantic, "'Charlottesville': A Government-Commissioned Story About Nuclear War," 25 Jan. 2018
Surface life only took hold after photosynthesis generated the protective ozone layer.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Martian Fossils Could Be Found Near Long-Buried Hydrothermal Vents," 26 Dec. 2017
Located in the stratosphere, the ozone layer blocks potentially harmful ultraviolet energy from reaching our planet's surface.

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "Ozone layer continues to thin over Earth's populated areas," 7 Feb. 2018
This new source of oxygen created the ozone layer, buffering the planet from ultraviolet radiation and solar winds.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Martian Fossils Could Be Found Near Long-Buried Hydrothermal Vents," 26 Dec. 2017

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.

First Known Use of ozone layer

1927

OZONE LAYER Defined for English Language Learners

ozone layer

noun

Definition of ozone layer for English Language Learners

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

OZONE LAYER Defined for Kids

ozone layer

noun

Definition of ozone layer for Students

: 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