emission

noun

emis·​sion ē-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce emission (audio)
1
a
: an act or instance of emitting : emanation
b
archaic : publication
c
: a putting into circulation
2
a
: something sent forth by emitting: such as
(1)
: electromagnetic radiation from an antenna or a celestial body
(2)
usually emissions : substances discharged into the air (as by a smokestack or an automobile engine)
b
emissive adjective

Examples of emission in a Sentence

trying to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases
Recent Examples on the Web Patagonia Mayor Andrea Wood said the town does not support the permit, noting its lack of emissions data. Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024 Existing regulations in California and the EU and resulting pressure from investors and consumers make the SEC’s decision to exclude Scope 3 from their emissions mandate an irrelevant caveat for most global corporations. Holly Ojalvo, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 It's estimated that cattle and sheep production systems account for up to 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 Photograph: Darwin Fan/Getty Images Fighting off rising seas without reducing humanity’s carbon emissions is like trying to drain a bathtub without turning off the tap. Matt Simon, WIRED, 6 Mar. 2024 But, if things shift to the highest emissions scenario, the Arctic could be ice-free for up to nine months late this century. Simrin Singh, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024 The precise timing of such losses depends on how soon humanity is able to reduce fossil fuel emissions that are contributing to global warming. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 But there are safeguards for preventing such a collapse from occurring: namely, reducing methane, carbon dioxide and other fossil fuel emissions that are warming the planet, melting ice and releasing more freshwater into the ocean. Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 In particular, the EU intends to gauge the difference between the charge for GHG emissions in the producing nation and the EU’s carbon price (which stood at about $100 per ton through most of 2023) and impose a border carbon adjustment based on the differential. Dan Esty, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'emission.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of emission was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near emission

Cite this Entry

“Emission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emission. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

emission

noun
emis·​sion ē-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce emission (audio)
1
: an act or instance of emitting
2
: something emitted or discharged
emissive adjective

Medical Definition

emission

noun
emis·​sion ē-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce emission (audio)
1
: an act or instance of emitting
2
a
: something sent forth by emitting: as
(1)
: electrons discharged from a surface
(2)
: electromagnetic waves radiated by an antenna or a celestial body
(3)
: substances and especially pollutants discharged into the air (as by a smokestack or an automobile gasoline engine)
b
: a discharge of fluid from a living body
especially : ejaculate see nocturnal emission
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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