climate change
noun
: significant and long-lasting change in the earth's climate and weather patterns
The half-tonne … turtles were thought to have died out 30,000 to 40,000 years ago because of climate change.—
New Scientist
New Scientist
especially, in current use
: such change associated with global warming
Concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change are renewed among scientists and the public with every new report about the possibility of melting icecaps and rising temperatures. —Randy Showstack
Randy Showstack Drought is a paleontological fact in the American West, but the latest desiccations have a new signature, and my region's climatologists, hydrologists, foresters, and water managers are nearly unanimous in their conviction that what we are seeing now is climate change, the anthropogenic kind, a consequence of too much CO2 and other greenhouse gases. —Kenneth Brower
Kenneth Brower Examples of climate change in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Like Francis, Leo has faced criticism from conservative US Catholics and MAGA supporters, angered by his comments on migration and climate change.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
But invoking climate change invites readers to think in global terms.
—Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, James Peifer, executive director of Regional Water Authority and Sacramento Groundwater Authority, said recent extreme weather patterns show how climate change is reshaping California’s water systems.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Welcome to Climate Point, your weekly guide to stories about climate change, energy, the environment and science.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for climate change
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Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
But invoking climate change invites readers to think in global terms.
—Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, James Peifer, executive director of Regional Water Authority and Sacramento Groundwater Authority, said recent extreme weather patterns show how climate change is reshaping California’s water systems.
—Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Welcome to Climate Point, your weekly guide to stories about climate change, energy, the environment and science.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for climate change
Cite this Entry
“Climate change.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/climate%20change. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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