smog

[smog, smawg]

noun

1. smoke or other atmospheric pollutants combined with fog in an unhealthy or irritating mixture.

2. photochemical smog.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover or envelop with or as if with smog.

smog

/ smɒɡ /

noun

1. a mixture of smoke, fog, and chemical fumes

smog

1. A form of air pollution produced by the reaction of sunlight with hydrocarbons, nitrogen compounds, and other gases primarily released in automobile exhaust. Smog is common in large urban areas, especially during hot, sunny weather, where it appears as a brownish haze that can irritate the eyes and lungs. Ozone, a toxic gas that is not normally produced at lower atmospheric levels, is one of the primary pollutants created in this kind of smog.

2. Also called photochemical smog

3. Fog that has become polluted with smoke and particulates, especially from burning coal.

smog

1. A haze or fog composed of water vapor, complex molecules, and suspended particles.

In North America, the primary cause of smog is pollution from automobile exhaust.

The Los Angeles basin, where pollutants can be trapped by inversions and the surrounding mountains, has frequent problems with smog, as do other major urban areas.

The word smog is a combination of smoke and fog.

Other Word Forms

• smoggy adjective
• smogless adjective
• desmog verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of smog¹

1900–05; sm(oke) + ( f)og ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of smog¹

C20: from _sm ( _oke + _f ) _og ¹

Example Sentences

House representatives voted to prohibit California from banning the sale of new gasoline-only cars by 2035 and end California’s ability to set emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks and to combat smog levels in the state.

From Los Angeles Times

The state has notoriously struggled with smog and air pollution and has been a leader in adopting aggressive environmental regulations far exceeding national standards.

From Los Angeles Times

Padilla stressed that these rules were largely meant to alleviate lung-aggravating smog, which was a persistent threat where he grew up in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s where the sunshine gets that hazy quality from, saying nothing about the smog.

From Los Angeles Times

The day before, the House voted along similar lines to end California’s ability to set emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks and to combat smog levels in the state.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acid rain 
• carbon dioxide 
• fog 
• smoke 
• soot