greenhouse gas

noun

: any of various gaseous compounds (such as carbon dioxide or methane) that absorb infrared radiation, trap heat in the atmosphere, and contribute to the greenhouse effect

Water vapor is an important gas for the study of climate and weather because of its role as a natural greenhouse gas as well as its relationship to clouds and precipitation.

—Mohi Kumar

Scientists now recognize tropospheric ozone—a component of smog—as a greenhouse gas as well as an eye and lung irritant.

—Science News

While it may not be possible to eliminate all greenhouse gas emissions, it is possible to offset some of the emissions that do still occur. Offsetting involves supporting projects that reduce or sequester greenhouse gas emissions in another location.

—Tyson Miller

Livestock emit 14.5 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions each year. Most of that is from cows.

—Marley Walker

Examples of greenhouse gas in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By replacing red meat’s lean protein with chicken, Crossover Meats offers a more sustainable ground meat that produces up to 50% less greenhouse gas emissions and uses up to 50% less land and 40% less water. —William Mullane, USA TODAY, 8 May 2024

Many of the industries that contribute to that warming through greenhouse gas emissions, like oil companies and the U.S. military-industrial complex, are either moving too slowly to keep humanity alive or actively resisting efforts to rein in their harms. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 8 May 2024

Patients suck the powder into their lungs — no puff of gas required, and no greenhouse gas emissions. —Martha Bebinger, NPR, 6 May 2024

The slower speed not only helps limit noise but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and prevents more ships from striking whales and other animals, the group says. —Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2024

To reach California’s goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, Ms. Parson said, 90 percent of light and medium vehicles must go electric, along with 80 percent of buses and 54 percent of heavy-duty vehicles. —Ivan Penn, New York Times, 4 May 2024

Another climate lawsuit brought by young people was successful: Early this year the Montana Supreme Court upheld a landmark decision requiring regulators to consider the effects of greenhouse gas emissions before issuing permits for fossil fuel development. —Gene Johnson, Fortune, 2 May 2024

Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its greenhouse gas emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles. —San Diego Union Tribune, Orange County Register, 1 May 2024

Agricultural crops and livestock account for 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions – hence the push to enact long-reaching environmental policies. —Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

greenhouse gas

noun

: any of various gases (as carbon dioxide or methane) that absorb infrared radiation, trap heat in the atmosphere, and contribute to the greenhouse effect