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.

---

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

See Examples For:

climate change

Researchers say amphibians provide a window into the past because they don’t travel far during their lifetimes and are sensitive to climate change.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

So AI-detection startup Originality.ai tested about 5,000 posts in ten categories and found that only climate change ranked lower than marketing/advertising/PR in terms of probable, more-than-moderate AI use.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

While some Italians say the current heat is "not a new phenomenon" given climate change, others from southern Italy have voiced their shock when visiting northern cities and towns.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

Like much of the Mediterranean, Greece has experienced increasingly frequent and intense wildfires that scientists link to climate change.

From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026

Owen thought back to the tundra buggy, and the tourist who had asked about climate change.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz