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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
Monday’s settlement covers the period between July 2019 and June 2021 when the refinery exceeded the amounts of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrogen sulfide it is allowed to release.
—Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2024
Volcanic gases, like sulfur dioxide, escape from magma at shallow depths and may signal an impending eruption.
—Robin George Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024
Four ways wind, solar and water can power the US
There are published estimates of sulfur dioxide emissions from the 2022 eruption, and these can be used to roughly approximate CO2 emissions, researchers told USA TODAY.
—USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024
Noxious volcanic gases may also be a problem—in particular, sulfur dioxide, which effuses from shallow magma.
—Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2024
All these eruptions emitted prodigious quantities of CO₂ and sulfur dioxide and may have damaged the ozone layer and stressed vegetation with acid rain and mercury.
—Howard Lee, Ars Technica, 25 July 2023
By contrast, sulfur dioxide production doesn't appear to be very sensitive to temperature.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 26 Apr. 2023
The monitors also detect levels of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and other gases that contribute to poor air quality.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2024
In Europe, sulfur dioxide emissions fell by 84 percent and in the U.S. by 90 percent.
—Hannah Ritchie, Scientific American, 25 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sulfur dioxide.' 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
1869, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near sulfur dioxide
Cite this Entry
“Sulfur dioxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sulfur%20dioxide. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on sulfur dioxide
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sulfur dioxide
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