greenhouse gas

noun

: any of various gaseous compounds (such as carbon dioxide or methane) that absorb infrared radiation, trap heat in the atmosphere, and contribute to the greenhouse effect

Water vapor is an important gas for the study of climate and weather because of its role as a natural greenhouse gas as well as its relationship to clouds and precipitation.

—Mohi Kumar

Scientists now recognize tropospheric ozone—a component of smog—as a greenhouse gas as well as an eye and lung irritant.

—Science News

While it may not be possible to eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions, it is possible to offset some of the emissions that do still occur. Offsetting involves supporting projects that reduce or sequester greenhouse gas emissions in another location.

—Tyson Miller

Livestock emit 14.5 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions each year. Most of that is from cows.

—Marley Walker

Examples of greenhouse gas in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a statement released Thursday, Singapore’s minister of state for law and transport, Murali Pillai, said the arrival of the A.P. Møller reinforced the city-state’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. —Dylan Butts, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2024

Of the coalition, 33 participating institutions promoting plant-forward meals in campus dining halls recorded a collective 23% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of food purchased between 2019 and 2023. —Byzahra Hirji, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2024

Primark claims to be making efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions but acknowledges that 97.5 percent of its overall carbon footprint comes from the activities of its suppliers. —Geoff Colvin, Fortune Europe, 28 Nov. 2024

And greenhouse gas emissions from a pound of turkey are equivalent to those from burning a half gallon of gasoline. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

greenhouse gas

noun

: any of various gases (as carbon dioxide or methane) that absorb infrared radiation, trap heat in the atmosphere, and contribute to the greenhouse effect