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
Mohi KumarScientists now recognize tropospheric ozone—a component of smog—as a greenhouse gas as well as an eye and lung irritant.—Science News
Science NewsWhile 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
Tyson MillerLivestock emit 14.5 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions each year. Most of that is from cows.—Marley Walker
Marley WalkerExamples of greenhouse gas in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Because most ozone-depleting substances are also potent greenhouse gases, the treaty’s measures from 1990 to 2010 alone have prevented the equivalent of 11 gigatons of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere per year.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Scientists in Germany have recently found out that alkaline wastewater from steel and cement production could capture carbon dioxide (CO2) and remove tens of millions of tons of the greenhouse gas from the atmosphere annually.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
The plaintiffs in both cases, however, argue that Vermont can’t legally impose liability or penalties on out-of-state energy producers for harms arising from out-of-state and global greenhouse gas emissions.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Leaders from nearly 200 nations attended the summit but not from the world's three largest greenhouse gas emitters — China, the United States and India.
—CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for greenhouse gas
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Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Scientists in Germany have recently found out that alkaline wastewater from steel and cement production could capture carbon dioxide (CO2) and remove tens of millions of tons of the greenhouse gas from the atmosphere annually.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
The plaintiffs in both cases, however, argue that Vermont can’t legally impose liability or penalties on out-of-state energy producers for harms arising from out-of-state and global greenhouse gas emissions.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Leaders from nearly 200 nations attended the summit but not from the world's three largest greenhouse gas emitters — China, the United States and India.
—CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for greenhouse gas
Cite this Entry
“Greenhouse gas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/greenhouse%20gas. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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