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ozone layer
noun
: 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
Examples of ozone layer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Elliott Special to USA TODAY Travel consumes precious natural resources, pollutes the environment and punches a hole in the ozone layer.
—Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024
These metals have even attached themselves to sulfuric acid particles that play an important role in the welfare of the ozone layer.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2023
Lightning storms rolled around the globe, and ultraviolet radiation rained down in the absence of an ozone layer.
—David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2023
As the ozone layer continues to be depleted, many scientists expect the incidence and severity of sunburns, and ultimately skin cancer, to increase.
—Keyvan Nouri, M.d., Jessica Cervantes and John Tsatalis, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
The hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica has trickle-down effects on winds.
—Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, 5 Oct. 2023
Rockets also emit black carbon directly into the stratospheric ozone layer, whereas most jets fly lower in the stratosphere, below the ozone.
—Kay Nolan, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Mar. 2023
According to Piersanti, if such a distant event can cause a significant disturbance in the relatively less conductive part of the ionosphere, an event occurring in our galaxy (which is 100,000 light-years wide) could cause damage to the Earth’s ozone layer.
—Dhananjay Khadilkar, Ars Technica, 17 Nov. 2023
The threat posed to the ozone layer or humanity at large remains unknown, but scientists say that any changes to the normally pristine stratosphere demand attention.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ozone layer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1927, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Ozone layer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ozone%20layer. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.
Kids Definition
ozone layer
noun
: a layer of the earth's atmosphere at heights of about 20 to 30 miles (32 to 48 kilometers) that is normally characterized by high ozone content which blocks most of the sun's ultraviolet radiation from entry into the lower atmosphere
More from Merriam-Webster on ozone layer
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ozone layer
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