global warming

noun

: an increase in the earth's atmospheric and oceanic temperatures widely predicted to occur due to an increase in the greenhouse effect resulting especially from pollution

A Russian-owned tanker, built to traverse the frozen waters of the Arctic, completed a journey in record time from Europe to Asia this month, auguring the future of shipping as global warming melts sea ice.

—Russell Goldman

Debates about stem cells, global warming, and alternative energy might be less contentious if the scientific issues behind them were better understood.

—Elizabeth Gettelman

The development is also meant to boost tourism in Zermatt, which, like many Alpine towns worried about the effects of global warming on winter tourism, is exploring ways to draw visitors throughout the year.

—Jim Rendon

… I think it makes a compelling case, at least for most audiences, that humans are the cause of most of the global warming that is taking place, and that unless we take quick action the consequences for our planetary home could become irreversible.

—Al Gore

Examples of global warming in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nineteen countries — including Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic and Belgium — have seen at least two additional weeks' worth of above freezing days during the past decade, compared to what would have happened in the absence of global warming. —Andrew Freedman, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024

Living through the onset of rapid global warming involves learning to roll with the punches. —Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024

The insurance industry argued the change was imperative given global warming’s role in a number of wildfires, including in 2017 and 2018 when thousands of homes burned down. —Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024

In 2015: The final draft of the Paris Climate Accords agreement was accepted, with each nation setting its own goal for reducing greenhouse gases that experts say contribute to global warming. —Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

global warming

noun

: a warming of the earth's atmosphere and oceans that is widely predicted to result from an increase in the greenhouse effect caused by air pollution