global warming: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral/Formal (Used across academic, journalistic, political, and everyday contexts)
Quick answer
What does “global warming” mean?
The long-term, gradual increase in the overall temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, predominantly attributed to human activities such as burning fossil fuels.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The long-term, gradual increase in the overall temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, predominantly attributed to human activities such as burning fossil fuels.
The observed and projected climatic phenomenon of rising average global temperatures, resulting in systemic changes to weather patterns, sea levels, and ecosystems. It is often used synonymously with anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change, though technically it refers specifically to the temperature increase aspect.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. British English may be slightly more likely to use 'climate change' as a parallel or preferred term in formal policy contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term is politically and scientifically charged. In the US, it can be more polarizing in public discourse.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties, with comparable usage in media and academia.
Grammar
How to Use “global warming” in a Sentence
Global warming is causing [noun phrase] (e.g., sea-level rise).[Noun phrase] is contributing to global warming.Scientists warn about the dangers of global warming.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “global warming” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The report concludes that human activity is warming the globe at an unprecedented rate.
- Policies are needed to stop the planet warming further.
American English
- The data shows the globe is warming faster than predicted.
- We need to address the factors that are warming the planet.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb derived from the noun phrase.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb derived from the noun phrase.
adjective
British English
- Global-warming sceptics often challenge the scientific consensus.
- The global-warming threshold of 1.5°C is critical.
American English
- Global-warming deniers are at odds with peer-reviewed science.
- She is a leading global-warming researcher.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'The board is assessing supply chain risks associated with global warming.'
Academic
'The paleoclimate record provides context for current rates of global warming.'
Everyday
'We installed solar panels to help reduce our contribution to global warming.'
Technical
'Radiative forcing calculations are essential for modelling global warming projections.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “global warming”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “global warming”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “global warming”
- Using 'global warming' to refer to a short-term heatwave. (It's a long-term trend.)
- Confusing 'global warming' with 'ozone layer depletion'.
- Incorrect: 'The global warming is a problem.' Correct: 'Global warming is a problem.' (Usually non-count, no article.)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Global warming' refers specifically to the rise in global average temperatures. 'Climate change' includes global warming but also refers to the broader range of changes happening to our planet, such as shifting rainfall patterns, ocean acidification, and sea-level rise.
The primary cause is the increase in greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide and methane, from human activities like burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), deforestation, and industrial processes.
While some degree of warming is now inevitable due to past emissions, scientists agree we can still prevent its worst impacts by drastically and rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 'net zero' and removing carbon from the atmosphere.
Terms like 'climate crisis' or 'climate emergency' are used to communicate the urgent severity and existential risks posed by climate change, arguing that 'global warming' sounds too mild and gradual for the scale of the problem.
The long-term, gradual increase in the overall temperature of the Earth's atmosphere, predominantly attributed to human activities such as burning fossil fuels.
Global warming is usually neutral/formal (used across academic, journalistic, political, and everyday contexts) in register.
Global warming: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡləʊbəl ˈwɔːmɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡloʊbəl ˈwɔːrmɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The canary in the coal mine for global warming”
- “A tipping point for global warming”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the globe (Earth) wearing a thick winter coat (greenhouse gases) it can't take off, causing it to get warmer and warmer.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE EARTH IS A PATIENT WITH A FEVER.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is a more precise scientific synonym for the human-caused aspect of global warming?