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
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.
Mexico recently announced a ban on this solar geoengineering after Silicon Valley start-up Make Sunsets launched two balloons full of sulfur dioxide there. Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 May 2025 The law focused on lowering levels of several pollutants known to harm human health: particulate matter (also known as particle pollution), ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead. Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025 Editors’ Picks Rami Malek, Professional Outcast, Becomes ‘The Amateur’ Coal combustion also releases other pollutants, including mercury and sulfur dioxide, that are linked to heart disease, respiratory problems and premature deaths. Lisa Friedman, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 No modeling was used to determine whether emissions changes would increase the amounts of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides the refinery released and without any public determination as to whether the changes would trigger a violation of federal air quality standards. Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sulfur dioxide

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sulfur dioxide was in 1869

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Cite this Entry

“Sulfur dioxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sulfur%20dioxide. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

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

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