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

Scientists are continuing to study how global warming affects the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle, and the link is not clear-cut.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Each year, more than 275 million tons of it are converted into carbon dioxide, adding to global warming and creating a feedback loop that can intensify climate change.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

Gas fields, LNG tankers, pipelines, and distribution lines also give rise to massive leaks of methane -- a gas with an even greater global warming potential than CO2.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

The Colorado River, however, is overtapped and increasingly vulnerable to cutbacks as global warming drives longer and more intense drought.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

In so many of the time- travel books and movies he’d seen, people came back from the future to warn about global warming or stuff like that.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix