The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
greenhouse effect
NOUN:
1. The phenomenon whereby the earth's atmosphere traps solar radiation, caused by the presence in the atmosphere of gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane that allow incoming sunlight to pass through but absorb heat radiated back from the earth's surface. 2. A similar retention of solar radiation, as by another planet or in a solar panel.
