global warming

[ gloh-buhl wawrm-ing ]

/ ˈgloʊ bəl ˈwɔrm ɪŋ /

Save This Word!

noun

an increase in the earth's average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate and that may result from the greenhouse effect.

COMPARE MEANINGS

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of global warming

First recorded in 1975–80

Words nearby global warming

global rule, global search, Global South, global tectonics, global village, global warming, globate, globe, globe amaranth, globe artichoke, globefish

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use global warming in a sentence

Many of these “nature is healing, we are the virus” factoids were eventually debunked, then memed, then shown to be a blip of unearned optimism as global warming continued apace.
What Gretel Ehrlich Gets Wrong About Climate Change|Erin Berger|February 8, 2021|Outside Online
The topic was seen as a “moral hazard” because it was thought that the promise of a technical fix for global warming could distract from efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.
Elon Musk’s $100 Million Carbon Capture Push|Edd Gent|February 1, 2021|Singularity Hub
That waste, a greenhouse gas, contributes to global warming.
A new catalyst turns greenhouse gas into jet fuel|Maria Temming|January 27, 2021|Science News For Students
In 2015, 195 nations pledged to reduce their fossil fuel emissions to limit global warming to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius by 2100.
How much will Africa capitalize on cheap renewable energy as its power grid grows?|Carolyn Gramling|January 25, 2021|Science News

Climate models show that vast amounts of carbon removal will be necessary to prevent really dangerous levels of global warming, given how much we’ve emitted and how slowly we’re moving away from fossil fuels.
What Musk’s $100 million carbon capture prize could mean|James Temple|January 22, 2021|MIT Technology Review
Yellowstone grizzly bears face the two greatest threats to their survival in our lifetime: global warming and the U.S. government.
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And, always, global warming could push the cutworm moths north, out of the park, by heating up the region.
What It Takes to Kill a Grizzly Bear|Doug Peacock|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He echoed Dick Cheney about global warming and said, “We should be concentrating on ISIS.”
Bill Maher: Yes, I Can Generalize About Muslims|Marlow Stern|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As if the problem is the money going to the scientists who do believe in global warming!
Bill Maher: Yes, I Can Generalize About Muslims|Marlow Stern|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There you have it: Global warming is trying to kill your tequila buzz.
Happy National Tequila Day! Here’s How Climate Change Is Murdering Your Tequila|Asawin Suebsaeng|July 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But our most fateful new challenge is the threat of global warming.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various
The greatest environmental challenge of the new century is global warming.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various

British Dictionary definitions for global warming

global warming

noun

an increase in the average temperature worldwide believed to be caused by the greenhouse effect

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for global warming

global warming

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. See more at greenhouse effect.

Cultural definitions for global warming

global warming

The term attached to the notion that the Earth's temperature is increasing due to the greenhouse effect.

notes for global warming

Whether global warming is actually happening is a subject of scientific debate.