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

All of those situations typically cause the plant to release high levels of air toxins such as sulfur dioxide and benzene. —Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 12 Dec. 2024

Make Sunsets is a tiny start-up headquartered in South Dakota that is using balloons to release small quantities of sulfur dioxide into the upper atmosphere, in the hope of reflecting some of the Sun’s energy away from the earth. —IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2024

The lawsuit also alleges Suncor continued to release sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide into the surrounding neighborhood after Williams died. —Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024

Injecting diamond particles into the atmosphere could provide the benefits of sulfur dioxide while curbing some of the risks, said a study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. —Devika Rao, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

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