the greenhouse effect

noun

: the warming of the Earth's atmosphere that is caused by air pollution

Note: The greenhouse effect occurs when warmth from the sun is trapped in the Earth's atmosphere by a layer of gases (such as carbon dioxide) and water vapor.

Examples of the greenhouse effect in a Sentence

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Meanwhile, atmospheric carbon dioxide crept up by roughly 20 parts per million between 8,000 and 2,000 years ago, increasing the greenhouse effect that was heating the atmosphere up. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026 As temperatures climb, the greenhouse effect through untreated windows can force air conditioning systems to work overtime, eating both power and money. — K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 30 June 2026 Again, these practices aim to support and change the perceptions of citizens toward the environment in order to deal effectively with issues such as global warming and the greenhouse effect. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 May 2026 The researchers also discovered that the growth can increase the capacity for the boreal forests to act as a carbon storage sink, storing carbon dioxide that would otherwise remain the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for the greenhouse effect

Rhymes for the greenhouse effect

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Browse Nearby Words

the Great White Way
the greenhouse effect
the green light
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Cite this Entry

“The greenhouse effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20greenhouse%20effect. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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