global warming

noun

: an increase in the earth's atmospheric and oceanic temperatures widely predicted to occur due to an increase in the greenhouse effect resulting especially from pollution

A Russian-owned tanker … completed a journey in record time from Europe to Asia this month, auguring the future of shipping as global warming melts sea ice.

—Russell Goldman

Debates about stem cells, global warming, and alternative energy might be less contentious if the scientific issues behind them were better understood.

—Elizabeth Gettelman

The development is also meant to boost tourism in Zermatt, which, like many Alpine towns worried about the effects of global warming on winter tourism, is exploring ways to draw visitors throughout the year.

—Jim Rendon

… I think it makes a compelling case, at least for most audiences, that humans are the cause of most of the global warming that is taking place, and that unless we take quick action the consequences for our planetary home could become irreversible.

—Al Gore

Examples of global warming in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Carbon dioxide from human activity is the main driver of global warming. — Julia Simon, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026

If global warming continues at pace, Nepal could lose roughly 4% of its GDP by 2050, according to World Bank analysis. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

In recent years, criticism of the utility companies has grown over the frequency of rate hike requests, particularly as severe weather events have become more frequent due to global warming, leading to more power outages. — Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Global ocean temperatures are already at record highs, raising concerns about the compounding effects of El Niño and global warming effects on corals and other sea life, particularly along the west coast of the Americas and Australia. — Steven Paton, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for global warming

• nonconforming
• nonperforming
• brainstorming
• conforming
• deforming
• heartwarming
• informing
• performing
• reforming
• rewarming
• transforming
• forming

Kids Definition

global warming

noun

: a warming of the earth's atmosphere and oceans that is widely predicted to result from an increase in the greenhouse effect caused by air pollution