emission

noun

emis·​sion ē-ˈmi-shən 

1

a

: an act or instance of emitting : emanation

b

archaic : publication

c

: a putting into circulation

2

a

: something sent forth by emitting: such as

(1)

: electromagnetic radiation from an antenna or a celestial body

(2)

usually emissions : substances discharged into the air (as by a smokestack or an automobile engine)

b

: effluvium

emissive

ē-ˈmi-siv 

adjective

Examples of emission in a Sentence

trying to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases

Recent Examples on the Web

The market share of zero-emission vehicles among all light-duty vehicles sold rose from 12% in 2021 to 19% in 2022. —Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026

Part of its work includes collecting and sharing data on emissions, energy use and climate risks so counties can make informed decisions. —Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026

When pressed on emissions levels and air quality in Colorado, Wright claimed that air quality has improved in recent years, even as energy production has increased. —Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026

In the future, the SOLO platform could scale to deliver up to 1 GW of power through modular clusters, offering a zero-emission alternative to fossil-fuel thermal plants. —Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing emission

• acoustic emission
• positron-emission tomography
• re-emission
• secondary emission

Rhymes for emission

• addition
• admission
• ambition
• attrition
• audition
• clinician
• cognition
• coition
• commission
• condition
• contrition
• dentition

Kids Definition

emission

noun

emis·​sion ē-ˈmish-ən 

1

: an act or instance of emitting

2

: something emitted or discharged

emissive

ē-ˈmis-iv 

adjective

Medical Definition

emission

noun

emis·​sion ē-ˈmish-ən 

1

: an act or instance of emitting

2

a

: something sent forth by emitting: as

(1)

: electrons discharged from a surface

(2)

: electromagnetic waves radiated by an antenna or a celestial body

(3)

: substances and especially pollutants discharged into the air (as by a smokestack or an automobile gasoline engine)

b

: a discharge of fluid from a living body

especially : ejaculate see nocturnal emission