global warming

American  

[gloh-buhl wawrm-ing] / ˈgloʊ bəl ˈwɔrm ɪŋ /

noun

1. an increase in the earth's average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate, as a consequence of the greenhouse effect.

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global warming British  

noun

1. an increase in the average temperature worldwide believed to be caused by the greenhouse effect

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global warming Scientific  

1. An increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, especially a sustained increase great enough to cause changes in the global climate. The Earth has experienced numerous episodes of global warming through its history, and currently appears to be undergoing such warming. The present warming is generally attributed to an increase in the greenhouse effect , brought about by increased levels of greenhouse gases, largely due to the effects of human industry and agriculture. Expected long-term effects of current global warming are rising sea levels, flooding, melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, fluctuations in temperature and precipitation, more frequent and stronger El Niños and La Niñas, drought, heat waves, and forest fires.

2. See more at greenhouse effect

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global warming Cultural  

1. The term attached to the notion that the Earth's temperature is increasing due to the greenhouse effect.

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Discover More

Whether global warming is actually happening is a subject of scientific debate.

Etymology

Origin of global warming

First recorded in 1975–80

Compare meaning

How does global-warming compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• global warming vs. climate change

Example Sentences

The Arctic has gained geostrategic importance as the race for rare earths heats up and as melting ice caused by global warming opens up new shipping routes.

From Barron's

By filling in this missing piece, they now believe that periods of global warming can swing too far in the opposite direction, potentially setting the stage for an ice age.

From Science Daily

With the end of the Cold War, global warming became the “great global multilateral project,” said Ted Nordhaus, founder of the Breakthrough Institute, which promotes technological solutions to environmental problems.

From The Wall Street Journal

A separate study published in the journal Nature Reviews in January found that more episodes of “hydroclimate whiplash” are anticipated worldwide due to human-caused global warming.

From Los Angeles Times

Research has shown that the last 25 years were likely the driest quarter-century in the American West in at least 1,200 years, and that global warming is contributing to this megadrought.

From Los Angeles Times