climate change

American  

[klahy-mit cheynj] / ˈklaɪ mɪt ˌtʃeɪndʒ /

noun

1. a long-term change in the earth's climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature.

   Melting glaciers imply that life in the Arctic is affected by climate change.

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Usage

What is climate change? Climate change refers to a sweeping change in global climate conditions, including weather phenomena, temperature, and sea levels. It’s caused by an influx of greenhouse gases, mostly from fossil fuel emissions around the world. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere and change weather patterns, warming many areas of the globe and causing erratic season and weather events. How is term pronounced?[ klahy-mit cheynj ]

Etymology

Origin of climate change

First recorded in 1980–85

Compare meaning

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

• global warming vs. climate change

Example Sentences

With climate change, "we're seeing more extremes of temperatures, we're breaking records more frequently", Alex Deakin from the Met Office told AFP.

From Barron's • Jun. 19, 2026

"Without this, we mislead decision makers and potentially lose public trust in our ability to tackle climate change."

From Science Daily • Jun. 18, 2026

But with Dodger Stadium, the marine layer angle jumped out at me because I’m always on the lookout for relatable ways to tell the climate change story.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026

Throughout its long life, the tree had survived fires, winds and snowstorms and more recently, the extreme weather that comes with climate change.

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026

Usually she was the one going on and on about climate change, and everybody else was telling Natalie to cool it.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz