Definition of smog
: a fog made heavier and darker by smoke and chemical fumes; also : a photochemical haze caused by the action of solar ultraviolet radiation on atmosphere polluted with hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen especially from automobile exhaust
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Examples of smog in a Sentence
the city's smog was once so bad that darkness often prevailed, even at noon
Recent Examples of smog from the Web
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The agency is also seeking to delay oral arguments in two cases challenging its 2012 standard for air toxins from power plants as well as its 2015 smog rule.
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State Representative Dan B. Frankel, a Democrat who represents part of the city, used Facebook to post an old photograph of a smog-laden daytime Pittsburgh.
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In October 1948, a poisonous smog killed 26 people and impacted thousands more in Donora, a suburb of Pittsburgh, as well as neighboring communities.
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Once upon a time, the air was thick with smog and soot from industry lining the city’s rivers.
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A recent survey by the polling firm Latino Decisions found that the overwhelming majority of Hispanics across the country believe that policies should be passed to combat climate change and to reduce smog and air pollution.
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Brown -- an anti-smog crusader since a previous term as governor starting in 1975 -- is now 79 with less than two years left to serve.
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China is the world’s leading emitter of greenhouse gases and has struggled to control smog in Beijing and major urban areas in its densely populated eastern provinces.
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But while the fanciful image of LA shimmers under the marquee lights of stardom, the reality of this sprawling metropolis is something else – a swirl of glitz and grime, stars and smog, pretentious flair and bitter poverty.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'smog'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of smog
smoke + fog
SMOG Defined for English Language Learners
smog
playDefinition of smog for English Language Learners
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: fog mixed with smoke : a cloud of dirty air from cars, factories, etc., that is usually found in cities
SMOG Defined for Kids
smog
playDefinition of smog for Students
: a fog made heavier and thicker by the action of sunlight on polluted air
History for smog
The word smog was coined in England in 1905 by combining the words smoke and fog. The person who coined the word wanted to more accurately describe the atmosphere in London caused by fog mixing with smoke from coal furnaces used for heating. In the United States smog often describes any sort of visible air pollution, such as the haze around cities produced by automobile exhaust affected by sunlight.
Medical Dictionary
smog
playMedical Definition of smog
: a fog made heavier and darker by smoke and chemical fumes; also : a photochemical haze caused by the action of solar ultraviolet radiation on atmosphere polluted with hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen especially from automobile exhaust
Learn More about smog
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See words that rhyme with smog Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for smog Spanish Central: Translation of smog Nglish: Translation of smog for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of smog for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about smog
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