Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing definitions for climate crisis
SEE ALSO
Tech & Science dictionary results for climate crisis

climate crisis

American  
[klahy-mit krahy-sis] / ˈklaɪ mɪt ˌkraɪ sɪs /

noun

Climatology.
  1. a critical situation in which long-term change in the earth’s climate has severe adverse effects on the environment, necessitating immediate and bold countermeasures.

    Brewers are taking notice as the climate crisis decimates Europe’s barley crops.


Etymology

Origin of climate crisis

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It may feel like nothing we can do as individuals will make a difference to stem the climate crisis.

From Slate • May 15, 2026

But new findings based on sediment records stretching back 3,300 years suggest the story may be more complicated than a simple climate crisis.

From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026

On “Plastic Beach,” they tackle the climate crisis and human extinction.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

The United States insisted at the time that the act was a tool to address the climate crisis and "invest in US economic competitiveness".

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

New York Attorney General Letitia James described the court's ruling as "a big victory in our fight to keep tackling the climate crisis" in a social media post.

From BBC • Dec. 9, 2025

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "climate crisis" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com