anthropogenic

American  

[an-thruh-puh-jen-ik] / ˌæn θrə pəˈdʒɛn ɪk /

adjective

1. caused or produced by humans.

   anthropogenic air pollution.

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anthropogenic British  

/ ˌænθrəpəʊˈdʒɛnɪk /

adjective

1. relating to anthropogenesis

2. created by people or caused by human activity

   anthropogenic pollution

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anthropogenic Scientific  

/ ăn′thrə-pə-jĕn′ĭk /

1. Caused or influenced by humans. Anthropogenic carbon dioxide is that portion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that is produced directly by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, rather than by such processes as respiration and decay.

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Etymology

Origin of anthropogenic

First recorded in 1885–90; anthropo- + -genic

Explanation

Anthropogenic is an adjective that describes changes in nature made by people. If your town has rerouted water from the river for drinking water, that is an anthropogenic activity. Whenever you see the word root anthro, you can bet there’s a person involved, and anthropogenic is a particularly good example. From the Greek anthropogenes, meaning "born of man,” anthropogenic can refer to any changes in nature that are caused by people — like the existence of roads or cities where once there were forests. Most often, you will hear anthropogenic as an adjective describing pollution — such as the anthropogenic causes of the hole in the ozone layer.

Example Sentences

"Our findings highlight that the Global Methane Pledge must account for climate-driven methane sources alongside anthropogenic controls if its mitigation targets are to be achieved."

From Science Daily • Feb. 10, 2026

"Forests globally currently sequester about one-third of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions," said Medlyn.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

In a ghastly rehearsal of the horrible effects of anthropogenic climate change on other animals, our runaway success spelled their doom.

From Slate • May 14, 2025

“The degree of aridification and intensification of droughts in the region depends on the extent of anthropogenic warming,” the researchers wrote in the study, which was published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2024

“Our findings confirm that the influence of anthropogenic climate change has no limit in its reach,” Roland said.

From Salon • Oct. 19, 2024