sulfur dioxide

noun

: a heavy pungent toxic gas SO₂ that is easily condensed to a colorless liquid, is used especially in making sulfuric acid, in bleaching, as a preservative, and as a refrigerant, and is a major air pollutant especially in industrial areas

Examples of sulfur dioxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the case of Hurricane Harvey, for example, petrochemical companies smothered Texas communities with thousands of extra tons of benzene, sulfur dioxide, and other harmful pollutants. —Cynthia Palmer, Time, 9 Dec. 2025

The eruption’s sulfur dioxide cloud moved eastward, reaching India on November 25 and remaining detectable until December 1, according to data published by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) Wednesday. —MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

According to Volcano Discovery, observations of the eruption also confirmed the release of a sulfur dioxide cloud. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 Nov. 2025

In a major eruption, millions of tons of sulfur dioxide get thrown up into the stratosphere. —Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sulfur dioxide

• acetamide
• acetonide
• acidified
• antimonide
• beatified
• benzaldehyde
• borohydride
• chalcogenide
• commodified
• decalcified
• declassified
• disaccharide

Kids Definition

sulfur dioxide

noun

: a heavy strong-smelling gas that is used especially in making sulfuric acid, in bleaching, in preserving things, and as a refrigerant and that is a major substance in air pollution especially in industrial areas

Medical Definition

sulfur dioxide

noun

: a heavy pungent toxic gas SO₂ that is easily condensed to a colorless liquid, is used especially in making sulfuric acid, in bleaching, as a preservative, and as a refrigerant, and is a major air pollutant especially in industrial areas