Word: Greenhouse

Pronunciation

/ˈɡriːnhaʊs/

Definitions

• Noun: A building with glass walls and roof designed to grow plants in controlled conditions, typically maintaining warmth and humidity. For example: “The gardener spent her mornings tending to the plants in the greenhouse.”

Phrases

• “Greenhouse effect”: The phenomenon where heat from the sun is trapped in the Earth’s atmosphere by gases, leading to a rise in global temperatures. This term is often used in discussions about climate change.
• “Greenhouse gases”: Gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor that contribute to the greenhouse effect by trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere.
• “In a greenhouse environment”: Refers to a situation where conditions are carefully managed or controlled, similar to how a greenhouse controls conditions for plant growth.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “They built a small greenhouse in their backyard to cultivate exotic plants year-round.”
• “Carbon emissions contribute to the increase in greenhouse gases, exacerbating the greenhouse effect.”
• “Working in a greenhouse allows botanists to experiment with different environmental conditions for various plant species.”

Synonyms

• Conservatory
• Glasshouse
• Hothouse
• Orangery
• Sunhouse

Additional Information

Greenhouses are structures that use sunlight to warm the interior, creating a microclimate conducive to plant growth. They can be used for both commercial horticulture and personal gardening, allowing the cultivation of plants that might not otherwise thrive in the local outdoor conditions. The concept of the greenhouse also extends metaphorically to describe any enclosed system that maintains a specific set of conditions, whether it’s for scientific research or discussing the broader environmental impact of certain gases on our planet’s climate.