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

The fashion company reduced its absolute Scopes 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 42 percent from its fiscal 2020 baseline, exceeding its goal of a 30 percent reduction by the end of fiscal 2031. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

Climate change, driven primarily by human activities that increase greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, has intensified droughts and heat in the Amazon. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

The administrator said that the EPA was also proposing to rescind all remaining greenhouse gas emissions standards for power plants. — Julia Simon, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026

The broader repeal, first proposed by the EPA last year, argues the federal government does not have authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants on the basis of climate change. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for greenhouse gas

• bermudagrass
• ecclesiastes
• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• 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