smog

noun

ˈsmäg

ˈsmȯg

Synonyms of smog next

: a fog made heavier and darker by smoke and chemical fumes

also : a photochemical haze caused by the action of solar ultraviolet radiation on atmosphere polluted with hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen especially from automobile exhaust

smogless

ˈsmä-gləs

ˈsmȯ-

adjective

Examples of smog in a Sentence

the city's smog was once so bad that darkness often prevailed, even at noon

Recent Examples on the Web Jakarta and its surrounding cities are shrouded in thick smog this month, and even Indonesian President Joko Widodo, commonly referred to as Jokowi, appears to be no match for the haze, having dealt with a stubborn cough for four weeks that some say may be caused by the bad air. —

Time, 17 Aug. 2023 The smog was so thick that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey limited driving speeds on bridges. —

Omar Mouallem, WIRED, 23 Aug. 2023 They’re touted by environmentalists and the government as a way to clear some of the toxic smog that often chokes metropolises across the country. —

Michelle Toh, CNN, 22 Aug. 2023 And this month, as smog reached another high, authorities again encouraged citizens to use public transportation. —

Time, 17 Aug. 2023 An air quality alert from the Portland metro area to Medford is in effect through Wednesday night due to elevated levels of smog. —

oregonlive, 14 Aug. 2023 San Bernardino County already endures the highest annual concentrations of smog in the nation. —

Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2023 While our city’s recent smog comes from wildfires, PM2.5 is the same pollutant released from power plants, industrial facilities, vehicle exhausts, and many other natural and unnatural sources. —

Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 30 June 2023 On Thursday, conservative Senator and infamous fossil fuel baron Joe Manchin was asked about the northern wildfires that have left a third of America enveloped in health-threatening smog. —

Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 8 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'smog.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

smoke + fog

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of smog was in 1880

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Smog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smog. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

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Kids Definition

smog

noun

ˈsmäg

also ˈsmȯg

: a thick haze caused by the action of sunlight on air polluted especially by smoke and automobile exhaust fumes

Etymology

from smoke and fog

Medical Definition

smog

noun

ˈsmäg also ˈsmȯg

: a fog made heavier and darker by smoke and chemical fumes

also : a photochemical haze caused by the action of solar ultraviolet radiation on atmosphere polluted with hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen especially from automobile exhaust