greenhouse gas

noun

: any of various gaseous compounds (such as carbon dioxide or methane) that absorb infrared radiation, trap heat in the atmosphere, and contribute to the greenhouse effect

Water vapor is an important gas for the study of climate and weather because of its role as a natural greenhouse gas as well as its relationship to clouds and precipitation.

—Mohi Kumar

Scientists now recognize tropospheric ozone—a component of smog—as a greenhouse gas as well as an eye and lung irritant.

—Science News

While it may not be possible to eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions, it is possible to offset some of the emissions that do still occur. Offsetting involves supporting projects that reduce or sequester greenhouse gas emissions in another location.

—Tyson Miller

Livestock emit 14.5 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions each year. Most of that is from cows.

—Marley Walker

Examples of greenhouse gas in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Excess heat is being trapped by ever-rising concentrations of greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere as humans continue to burn fossil fuels. —Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 23 Mar. 2026

Prioritizing reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as building cooling infrastructure will be necessary for human health. —Devika Rao, TheWeek, 23 Mar. 2026

On March 19, California challenged the repeal the reccognition that greenhouse gases endanger public health. —Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026

The announcement that greenhouse gases in the air are at unprecedented levels for all of human history? —Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for greenhouse gas

• bermudagrass
• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• chagas
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass

Kids Definition

greenhouse gas

noun

: any of various gases (as carbon dioxide or methane) that absorb infrared radiation, trap heat in the atmosphere, and contribute to the greenhouse effect