the greenhouse effect
noun
: the warming of the Earth's atmosphere that is caused by air pollution
Note: The greenhouse effect occurs when warmth from the sun is trapped in the Earth's atmosphere by a layer of gases (such as carbon dioxide) and water vapor.
Examples of the greenhouse effect in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Manabe’s model offered a way to test the greenhouse effect — the century-old idea that certain gases trap heat that would otherwise be radiated from Earth back to space.
—
Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Since the oceans would freeze over without the greenhouse effect, this was a key first step in building any kind of credible climate model.
—Nadir Jeevanjee, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2025
However, the science of the greenhouse effect provides the details of energy being absorbed and re-emitted by greenhouse gasses.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
This positive feedback cycle is called the greenhouse effect.
—Zuri Primos
july 18, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2025
This would have drawn carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, reducing the greenhouse effect that warmed the planet.
—ArsTechnica, 13 July 2025
Use the sun’s rays to superheat the soil using the greenhouse effect.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
That’s still chilly, but remember the greenhouse effect: there is a lot of frozen methane and carbon dioxide on Pluto, so these ices can vaporize and possibly provide enough thermal retention to make the tiny world at least somewhat comfortable, if not exactly habitable.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 3 July 2025
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Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Since the oceans would freeze over without the greenhouse effect, this was a key first step in building any kind of credible climate model.
—Nadir Jeevanjee, The Conversation, 3 Sep. 2025
However, the science of the greenhouse effect provides the details of energy being absorbed and re-emitted by greenhouse gasses.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
This positive feedback cycle is called the greenhouse effect.
—Zuri Primos
july 18, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2025
This would have drawn carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, reducing the greenhouse effect that warmed the planet.
—ArsTechnica, 13 July 2025
Use the sun’s rays to superheat the soil using the greenhouse effect.
—Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
That’s still chilly, but remember the greenhouse effect: there is a lot of frozen methane and carbon dioxide on Pluto, so these ices can vaporize and possibly provide enough thermal retention to make the tiny world at least somewhat comfortable, if not exactly habitable.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“The greenhouse effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20greenhouse%20effect. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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