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

Today, the ozone is repairing itself and is expected to return to 1980 levels by 2060. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024

Outdoors there is a 110,000-gallon ozone pool, a spa and a waterfall grotto. —Pueng Vongs, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024

Monday’s air quality woes have more to do with ground-level ozone, also known as smog, with fine dust particles. —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024

Other opposition came from foreign countries, chiefly Japan, the Soviet Union and the European bloc, which argued that the scientific link between CFCs and ozone depletion was not proved. —Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024

April 1 marks the start of ozone season, as ground-level ozone concentrations start to rise with the temperature and air quality officials begin to issue pollution alerts. —Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 1 Apr. 2024

Recommendations in the report include finalizing new vehicle emission standards, as well as establishing air quality standards for ozone and fine particulate matter specifically to protect scenic views and nature. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024

Air quality:Phoenix ranks 5th in ozone pollution, but a new report finds fewer bad air days overall Who is most at risk from ozone? —Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 1 Apr. 2024

The group finds that 98 percent of parks suffer from visible haze pollution, while 96 percent are grappling with ozone pollution that could be harmful to human health. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Mar. 2024

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

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