greenhouse gas

American  

[green-hous gas] / ˈgrinˌhaʊs ˌgæs /

noun

1. any of the gases whose absorption of solar radiation is responsible for the greenhouse effect, including carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, and the fluorocarbons.

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greenhouse gas British  

noun

1. any gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect

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greenhouse gas Scientific  

1. Any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation produced by solar warming of the Earth's surface. They include carbon dioxide (CO ₂), methane (CH ₄), nitrous oxide (N ₂ O), and water vapor. Although greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere, the elevated levels especially of carbon dioxide and methane that have been observed in recent decades are directly related, at least in part, to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and the deforestation of tropical forests.

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Etymology

Origin of greenhouse gas

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

Hepburn further notes that such an argument - that foreign companies won't invest in new gas projects - ignores Australia's climate targets, which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

France's cuts to greenhouse gas emissions slowed for a second straight year in 2025 and remain well below what is needed to meet its climate goals.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Yet the limits of the effort are visible in who is not in the room: the world’s three largest greenhouse gas emitters, China, the U.S. and India.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

The Bezos Earth Fund grants aim to address longstanding concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and pollution from clothing companies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Coal plants are also a major producer of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland