greenhouse

1 of 2

noun

green·​house ˈgrēn-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce greenhouse (audio)
plural greenhouses
Synonyms of greenhousenext
1
: a usually permanent climate-controlled structure enclosed (as by glass or multiple layers of plastic) and used usually year-round for the cultivation or protection of tender plants
2
: a clear plastic shell (such as a canopy) covering a section of an airplane
also : a compartment (as for a bombardier) enclosed by such a shell

greenhouse

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, contributing to, or caused by the greenhouse effect
greenhouse warming
greenhouse gases

Synonyms of greenhouse

Examples of greenhouse in a Sentence

Noun needed to move the plants into the greenhouse before the first frost killed them
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The farm is instant fun for kids, and my kids couldn’t get enough of exploring the greenhouse, fields of corn, and feeding the chickens and sheep. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026 Longtime residents might remember the hot dogs and burgers making their way past eager students on field trips at the National Museum of American History’s revolving Carousel Cafeteria, or the large, greenhouse-like McDonald’s inside the Air and Space Museum. Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 15 May 2026
Adjective
Millstone accounts for 40% of Connecticut’s electricity and 90% of non-greenhouse gas emissions. Stephen Singer, Hartford Courant, 31 May 2022 And there are other ways for the president to crack down on emissions, including tightening regulations on non-greenhouse coal-plant pollutants and vehicle fuel economy standards, and boosting support for renewables. Tim McDonnell, Quartz, 22 Sep. 2020 See All Example Sentences for greenhouse

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1974, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of greenhouse was in 1664

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Cite this Entry

“Greenhouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/greenhouse. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

greenhouse

1 of 2 noun
green·​house -ˌhau̇s How to pronounce greenhouse (audio)
: a glassed enclosure for cultivation of plants

greenhouse

2 of 2 adjective
: relating to, causing, or caused by the greenhouse effect
greenhouse warming

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