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

Framework Convention on Climate Change is a global treaty created in 1992 and signed by nearly 200 countries with the aim of addressing climate change through coordinated international action, including limiting planet-warming greenhouse gases.

From Los Angeles Times

Biochar production generates carbon credits, which AMP can sell to companies wanting to make up for their own greenhouse gas emissions.

From The Wall Street Journal

German greenhouse gas emissions fell 1.5 percent in 2025, a slower pace than recent years, putting in jeopardy climate goals in Europe's biggest economy, a think tank warned Wednesday.

From Barron's

The pace of German greenhouse gas emissions cuts slowed further in 2025, putting in jeopardy climate goals in Europe's biggest economy, a think tank warned Wednesday.

From Barron's

We looked at data from 112 countries, accounting for 99 percent of food-related greenhouse gas emissions globally, and divided each country's population into 10 income groups.

From Science Daily