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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
A couple of stellar eruptions may have occurred close to our home planet in the past 500 million years — during the crucial window that life evolved — potentially stripping away the ozone layer and triggering one or two biological annihilations, the study suggests. Jackie Wattles, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025 The causes of both events had been long debated, however one hypothesis has linked them to depletions in the Earth's protective ozone layer, such as might be caused by a supernova going off in local space. David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025 The ozone layer over Antarctica, damaged by air pollution decades ago, has fortunately been recovering in recent years. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2025 Earth's ozone layer would be destroyed if there was a supernova right now any closer than 50 light-years from the solar system, allowing the sun's ultraviolet radiation to quickly extinguish all life. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ozone layer

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ozone layer was in 1927

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ozone layer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ozone%20layer. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!