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

See Examples For:

global warming

They don’t care about Canada taking steps to mitigate global warming.

From Slate ● Jul. 21, 2026

It is now more visible than ever thanks to the rise of rapid analysis studies that can detect the signature of global warming on disasters within days, rather than years.

From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026

According to Melillo, the team selected a five degree increase because it represented the upper range of global warming projections when the experiment began decades ago.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026

El Niño also increase the risk of heat waves on land and at sea, which are already being exacerbated by human-caused global warming.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

At the same time, it pours huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the air, a factor in global warming.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann