greenhouse effect

noun

: warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of a planet (such as Earth or Venus) that is caused by conversion of solar radiation into heat in a process involving selective transmission of short wave solar radiation by the atmosphere, its absorption by the planet's surface, and reradiation as infrared which is absorbed and partly reradiated back to the surface by atmospheric gases

Examples of greenhouse effect in a Sentence

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Too much, and the world tips into a runaway greenhouse effect or becomes toxic. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025 Any liquid water on TRAPPIST-1 e would be accompanied by a greenhouse effect, which would involve various gases, especially carbon dioxide, keeping the atmosphere stable and the planet warm. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025 The latest proof of concept experiment builds on earlier work by Wordsworth’s team, which showed that silica aerogels could replicate Earth’s greenhouse effect to support life in cold, low-pressure environments. Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 July 2025 The current thinking is that ancient volcanism on Mars expelled a considerable amount of hydrogen into the atmosphere, which, combined with CO2, could make a sufficient greenhouse effect. Jonathan O’Callaghan, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for greenhouse effect

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of greenhouse effect was in 1907

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Cite this Entry

“Greenhouse effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/greenhouse%20effect. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

greenhouse effect

noun
: the warming of the earth's atmosphere that occurs when the sun's radiation passes through the atmosphere, is absorbed by the earth, and is given off as radiation of longer wavelength which can be absorbed by atmospheric gases (as carbon dioxide and water vapor)

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