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

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Compare meaning

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

• global warming vs. climate change

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

global warming

For Halff, the problem with going quiet about global warming isn’t just the prospect of policies swinging back the other way.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Nepal is one of the lowest emitters of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet one one of the most vulnerable countries to global warming.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

Bleaching events since 2018 have caused widespread coral mortality, with the United Nations' World Ocean Assessment warning that 90 percent of reefs could disappear if global warming tops 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

“The dark silver lining,” Gonzalez, the heat-weary fan said in a nod to global warming, “is this might be the coolest October of the rest of our lives.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026

I figured maybe it was global warming or something, because the weather all across New York state had been weird since Christmas.

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan

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