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

Power plants account for more than one-quarter of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. —Kelly Livingston, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2024

The largest share – 35% – come from the transportation sector, which generates about 24% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the nation. —USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024

In 2022, the Supreme Court limited the administration’s ability to use the Clean Air Act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024

That legislation, a bipartisan bill that aims to bring down U.S. greenhouse gas emissions to net zero, has so far failed to clear Congress. —Sanya Mansoor, TIME, 24 Apr. 2024

Most hydrogen produced today requires methane, which is a fossil fuel and a strong greenhouse gas contributor. —Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Altogether, 56 countries accounting for 53 percent of global emissions have passed laws intended to limit greenhouse gases. —Kelly Sims Gallagher, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024

But the problem is particularly acute in Asia, which is heating up faster than the global average thanks to greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. —Justine Calma, The Verge, 23 Apr. 2024

The shift away from oil, gas and coal for electricity is helping Europe cut its emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gasses, which will help curb future deadly warming. —Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 22 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

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