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
Water's role in global warming Water vapor, the most abundant greenhouse gas (GHG) on earth, amplifies the greenhouse effect.
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Jamil Wyne, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
These warm, wet periods would have been driven by Mars losing water from its atmosphere to the ground, which ironically refilled the hydrogen content of the atmosphere, thus sustaining the greenhouse effect.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2025
Eunice Newton Foote described the greenhouse effect in 1856, but posterity remembers John Tyndall, who presented his own experiments three years later.
—Sheila McClear, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
Bay State leaders will speak alongside Ram Ramanathan, a Distinguished Research Professor at UC San Diego known for discovering the greenhouse effect of halocarbons which eventually led to the global shift away from the use of CFCs, or chlorofluorocarbons.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2024
The gist of the greenhouse effect is that some of that light, instead of escaping straight to space, hits CO2 molecules in the atmosphere.
—Joseph Howlett, WIRED, 25 Aug. 2024
An Old Conclusion How could Arrhenius understand the basics of the greenhouse effect before quantum mechanics was even discovered?
—Joseph Howlett, WIRED, 25 Aug. 2024
Scientists worldwide believe that the use of fossil fuels is worsening the greenhouse effect, leading to intense warming, extreme climate events, and longer dry spells.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
The initial years following Chicxulub then saw a rapid rise in global temperatures due to the greenhouse effect, followed by a prolonged era of cooler temperatures that continued to stifle life and eradicate species.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Aug. 2024
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Jamil Wyne, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
These warm, wet periods would have been driven by Mars losing water from its atmosphere to the ground, which ironically refilled the hydrogen content of the atmosphere, thus sustaining the greenhouse effect.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2025
Eunice Newton Foote described the greenhouse effect in 1856, but posterity remembers John Tyndall, who presented his own experiments three years later.
—Sheila McClear, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
Bay State leaders will speak alongside Ram Ramanathan, a Distinguished Research Professor at UC San Diego known for discovering the greenhouse effect of halocarbons which eventually led to the global shift away from the use of CFCs, or chlorofluorocarbons.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2024
The gist of the greenhouse effect is that some of that light, instead of escaping straight to space, hits CO2 molecules in the atmosphere.
—Joseph Howlett, WIRED, 25 Aug. 2024
An Old Conclusion How could Arrhenius understand the basics of the greenhouse effect before quantum mechanics was even discovered?
—Joseph Howlett, WIRED, 25 Aug. 2024
Scientists worldwide believe that the use of fossil fuels is worsening the greenhouse effect, leading to intense warming, extreme climate events, and longer dry spells.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
The initial years following Chicxulub then saw a rapid rise in global temperatures due to the greenhouse effect, followed by a prolonged era of cooler temperatures that continued to stifle life and eradicate species.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“The greenhouse effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20greenhouse%20effect. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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