greenhouse

1 of 2

noun

green·​house ˈgrēn-ˌhau̇s 

plural greenhouses

1

: a usually permanent climate-controlled structure enclosed (as by glass or multiple layers of plastic) and used usually year-round for the cultivation or protection of tender plants

2

: a clear plastic shell (such as a canopy) covering a section of an airplane

also : a compartment (as for a bombardier) enclosed by such a shell

greenhouse

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, contributing to, or caused by the greenhouse effect

greenhouse warming

greenhouse gases

Synonyms

Noun

• conservatory
• glasshouse [chiefly British]
• hothouse

Examples of greenhouse in a Sentence

Noun

needed to move the plants into the greenhouse before the first frost killed them

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

More research is needed to pin down the exact reasons for these different effects, but regardless, the impact will be felt by the millions who call the West Coast home, especially if greenhouse emissions are not sufficiently curbed in coming years. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024

Place your mini greenhouses in a sunny spot that’s protected from strong winds and only water them if the soil dries out. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Millstone accounts for 40% of Connecticut’s electricity and 90% of non-greenhouse gas emissions. —Stephen Singer, Hartford Courant, 31 May 2022

And there are other ways for the president to crack down on emissions, including tightening regulations on non-greenhouse coal-plant pollutants and vehicle fuel economy standards, and boosting support for renewables. —Tim McDonnell, Quartz, 22 Sep. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1974, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing greenhouse

• greenhouse effect
• greenhouse gas
• the greenhouse effect

Kids Definition

greenhouse

1 of 2 noun

green·​house -ˌhau̇s 

: a glassed enclosure for cultivation of plants

greenhouse

2 of 2 adjective

: relating to, causing, or caused by the greenhouse effect

greenhouse warming