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.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Forty years ago, we were taught in school about the greenhouse effect, so this has been around for a while. Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2023 There was a Swedish scientist called Svante Arrhenius who set out the principles along which the greenhouse effect operates. Quartz Staff, Quartz, 28 Feb. 2023 Students can learn about the greenhouse effect and its meaning for the planet while standing in a greenhouse and experiencing it hands-on. Ariana Bennett, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the greenhouse effect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near the greenhouse effect

Cite this Entry

“The greenhouse effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20greenhouse%20effect. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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