climate change

American  

[klahy-mit cheynj] / ˈklaɪ mɪt ˌtʃeɪndʒ /

noun

1. a long-term change in the earth's climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature.

   Melting glaciers imply that life in the Arctic is affected by climate change.

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Usage

What is climate change? Climate change refers to a sweeping change in global climate conditions, including weather phenomena, temperature, and sea levels. It’s caused by an influx of greenhouse gases, mostly from fossil fuel emissions around the world. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere and change weather patterns, warming many areas of the globe and causing erratic season and weather events. How is term pronounced?[ klahy-mit cheynj ]

Etymology

Origin of climate change

First recorded in 1980–85

Compare meaning

How does climate-change compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• global warming vs. climate change

Example Sentences

The global infrastructure buildout is an opportunity to create more resilient and sustainable structures that can adapt to climate change, point out several advisors.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Coupled with higher global temperatures from human-caused climate change, this could make 2027 the hottest year on record for the planet.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

The scientific evidence of climate change is overwhelming.

From Salon • Jun. 8, 2026

They point to climate change, aging water infrastructure, and weak monitoring systems as factors that could allow dangerous amoebae to spread and become harder to control.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026

How does the Cuban missile crisis compare with twenty-first-century threats such as terrorism, climate change, and pandemic disease?

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin