acid rain
noun
precipitation, as rain, snow, or sleet, containing relatively high concentrations of acid-forming chemicals, as the pollutants from coal smoke, chemical manufacturing, and smelting, that have been released into the atmosphere and combined with water vapor: harmful to the environment.
Origin of acid rain
First recorded in 1855–60
Words nearby acid rain
British Dictionary definitions for acid rain
acid rain
noun
rain that contains a high concentration of pollutants, chiefly sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, released into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal or oil
Cultural definitions for acid rain
acid rain
A type of precipitation made up of dilute acids, primarily a by-product of heavy industry.
notes for acid rain
Acid rain is a result of the combination of water with chemicals released into the
atmosphere by the burning of
fossil fuels.