What does greenhouse gases mean?

The noun GREENHOUSE GAS has 1 sense: 1. a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation Familiarity information: GREENHOUSE GAS used as a noun is very rare. read more

greenhouse gas Any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation produced by solar warming of the Earth's surface. They include carbon dioxide (CO 2), methane (CH 4), nitrous oxide (N 2 O), and water vapor. read more

Greenhouse effect" is actually a misnomer since heating in the usual greenhouse is due to the reduction of convection, while the "greenhouse effect" works by preventing absorbed heat from leaving the structure through radiative transfer. read more