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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the horror of global warming has put an end to that. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024 California's potential program comes after Newsom signed a new law in October to help combat soaring gas prices, marking an escalation in his ongoing confrontation with the oil industry over energy costs and the impact of global warming. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024 Already, 11 percent of Americans have considered moving to avoid the impacts of global warming, and roughly 75 percent are hesitant to buy homes in areas with high climate risks like wildfires (more than 30 million homes in the lower 48 US states are at risk of being hit with wildfires). Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, WIRED, 26 Nov. 2024 The primary cause of global warming during the last century has been the burning of fossil fuels to generate energy that has consequently increased global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for global warming 

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of global warming was in 1953

Dictionary Entries Near global warming

Cite this Entry

“Global warming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/global%20warming. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on global warming

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!