What does OZONE mean?

Parts of Speech

Noun

Definitions

1. A colorless unstable toxic gas with a pungent odor and powerful oxidizing properties, formed from oxygen by electrical discharges or ultraviolet light. Its molecules consist of three oxygen atoms.

2. A layer in the earths stratosphere at an altitude of about 10 km (6.2 miles) containing a high concentration of ozone, which absorbs most of the ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth from the sun.

Pronunciations

US: /ˈoʊzoʊn/

UK: /ˈəʊzəʊn/

Origin and Usage

The word "ozone" was first coined in 1840 by Christian Friedrich Schönbein, a German-Swiss chemist. It comes from the Greek word "ozein" which means "to smell". Ozone is used in various industrial applications, such as water treatment, air purification, and as a disinfectant. It is also used in medicine to treat certain conditions, such as herniated discs and joint pain.

Synonyms

Triatomic oxygen, trioxygen

Related Words

Oxide, odour, onion, olive, opium

Example Sentences

1. The air in the laboratory was filled with the smell of ozone after the experiment.
2. The ozone layer in the atmosphere helps protect the earth from harmful UV rays.