greenhouse effect

noun

an atmospheric heating phenomenon, caused by short-wave solar radiation being readily transmitted inward through the earth's atmosphere but longer-wavelength heat radiation less readily transmitted outward, owing to its absorption by atmospheric carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, and other gases; thus, the rising level of carbon dioxide is viewed with concern.

such a phenomenon on another planet.

Origin

1935-40

Examples from the web for greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect weakened, the world cooled, and ice spread over the oceans from the poles.
Without the natural greenhouse effect, the planet would essentially be frozen.
And by the mid-twentieth century, some of the physical mechanisms behind the greenhouse effect had been understood.
Therefore, the total greenhouse effect is not simply the sum of the effect of each gas alone.
A, the greenhouse effect would have to be proven, when there is some scientific dispute about it.
We need the greenhouse effect, and the water vapor is an essential part of why life formed on this planet.
They can enhance the greenhouse effect and they can also increase albedo since they reflect incoming solar radiation.
In principle, this atmospheric greenhouse effect is well understood that is why believers say the science is settled.
The greenhouse effect may be linked to hurricanes in summer and brutal storms in winter.
Use your knowledge of the greenhouse effect mechanism to estimate how the temperature varies with depth.

British Dictionary definitions for greenhouse effect

greenhouse effect

noun

an effect occurring in greenhouses, etc, in which radiant heat from the sun passes through the glass warming the contents, the radiant heat from inside being trapped by the glass

the application of this effect to a planet's atmosphere; carbon dioxide and some other gases in the planet's atmosphere can absorb the infrared radiation emitted by the planet's surface as a result of exposure to solar radiation, thus increasing the mean temperature of the planet

greenhouse effect in Science

greenhouse effect

(grēn'hous')

The retention of part of the Sun's energy in the Earth's atmosphere in the form of heat as a result of the presence of greenhouse gases. Solar energy, mostly in the form of short-wavelength visible radiation, penetrates the atmosphere and is absorbed by the Earth's surface. The heated surface then radiates some of that energy into the atmosphere in the form of longer-wavelength infrared radiation. Although some of this radiation escapes into space, much of it is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the lower atmosphere, which in turn re-radiate a portion back to the Earth's surface. The atmosphere thus acts in a manner roughly analagous to the glass in a greenhouse, which allows sunlight to penetrate and warm the plants and soil but which traps most of the resulting heat energy inside. The greenhouse effect is essential to life on Earth; however, the intensification of its effect due to increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is considered to be the main contributing factor to global warming.

greenhouse effect in Culture

greenhouse effect definition

A term used to describe the heating of the atmosphere owing to the presence of carbon dioxide and other gases. Without the presence of these gases, heat from the sun would return to space in the form of infrared radiation. Carbon dioxide and other gases absorb some of this radiation and prevent its release, thereby warming the Earth. This is an effect analogous to what happens in a greenhouse, where glass traps the infrared radiation and warms the air.

Note: The burning of fossil fuels adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, and therefore places the Earth at risk from an increase of this effect.