emission

noun

emis·​sion ē-ˈmi-shən 

1

a

: an act or instance of emitting : emanation

b

archaic : publication

c

: a putting into circulation

2

a

: something sent forth by emitting: such as

(1)

: electromagnetic radiation from an antenna or a celestial body

(2)

usually emissions : substances discharged into the air (as by a smokestack or an automobile engine)

b

: effluvium

emissive

ē-ˈmi-siv 

adjective

Examples of emission in a Sentence

trying to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases

Recent Examples on the Web

Average global temperatures have been rising for decades because greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activity have been accumulating in the atmosphere. —Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024

The team ran 90 experiments (24 by pan-frying, 20 by stir-frying, 16 by deep-frying, 16 by boiling, and 14 by air-frying), covering the pan or pot immediately after cooking to avoid any further air emissions. —Sarah Garone, Health, 13 Dec. 2024

Publishing their findings in the journal Atmospheric Environment, the researchers call for targeted measures to mitigate health risks associated with PM2.5 emissions from woodburning. —Jamie Hailstone, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

And the Leather and Hide Council of America estimates that one metric ton of hides in a landfill generates more than 13 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. —Jennifer Bringle, WWD, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing emission

• acoustic emission
• positron-emission tomography
• re-emission
• secondary emission

Kids Definition

emission

noun

emis·​sion ē-ˈmish-ən 

1

: an act or instance of emitting

2

: something emitted or discharged

emissive

ē-ˈmis-iv 

adjective

Medical Definition

emission

noun

emis·​sion ē-ˈmish-ən 

1

: an act or instance of emitting

2

a

: something sent forth by emitting: as

(1)

: electrons discharged from a surface

(2)

: electromagnetic waves radiated by an antenna or a celestial body

(3)

: substances and especially pollutants discharged into the air (as by a smokestack or an automobile gasoline engine)

b

: a discharge of fluid from a living body

especially : ejaculate see nocturnal emission