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 timing of the snow and ice melt, plus rainfalls, determines whether a plot of thawing permafrost is waterlogged — and whether carbon isn’t just turned into CO2, but also methane, a greenhouse gas four times as potent. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Through analysis, environmental indicators such as land use, water consumption, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions are measured, providing a performance benchmark for each participating farm. — Sj Studio, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

Idling of vehicles with engines that burn fossil fuels also emits climate-warming greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, though climate concerns are not the primary target of anti-idling laws. — Richard Marcantonio, The Conversation, 31 July 2026

If harnessed, energy from nuclear fusion could produce an almost infinite source of power that emits no greenhouse gases, its supporters say. — Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 July 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