emission

noun

emis·​sion ē-ˈmi-shən 

1

a

: an act or instance of emitting : emanation

b

archaic : publication

c

: a putting into circulation

2

a

: something sent forth by emitting: such as

(1)

: electromagnetic radiation from an antenna or a celestial body

(2)

usually emissions : substances discharged into the air (as by a smokestack or an automobile engine)

b

: effluvium

emissive

ē-ˈmi-siv 

adjective

Examples of emission in a Sentence

trying to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases

Recent Examples on the Web

Howarth’s Assumptions Howarth’s paper, which influenced the Biden administration's decision to pause approvals for new LNG export terminals, argues that methane emissions from LNG production, liquefaction, and transport offset any benefits from lower carbon dioxide emissions compared to coal. —Robert Rapier, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

Adrienne Johnston That goes beyond just reducing the emissions from processing limestone to just 1.5%. —New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2024

Heegaard founded it in 2018 in New Orleans with a mission of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of emergency responses. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2024

The big emissions will come from our materials -- primarily the steel, the aluminum, the batteries and the plastics. —Morgan Korn, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing emission

• acoustic emission
• positron-emission tomography
• re-emission
• secondary emission

Kids Definition

emission

noun

emis·​sion ē-ˈmish-ən 

1

: an act or instance of emitting

2

: something emitted or discharged

emissive

ē-ˈmis-iv 

adjective

Medical Definition

emission

noun

emis·​sion ē-ˈmish-ən 

1

: an act or instance of emitting

2

a

: something sent forth by emitting: as

(1)

: electrons discharged from a surface

(2)

: electromagnetic waves radiated by an antenna or a celestial body

(3)

: substances and especially pollutants discharged into the air (as by a smokestack or an automobile gasoline engine)

b

: a discharge of fluid from a living body

especially : ejaculate see nocturnal emission