WordGarden.ioemission
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪmˈɪʃən/
US
- /ɪˈmɪʃən/
Meanings
Noun
the release of gases or pollutants into the environment
the production or discharge of energy, radiation, particles, light, or sound
the discharge of fluid from the body, especially semen
Beyond the definition
An emission is the act of sending something out from a source, often into the air or into space. Think about a car giving off exhaust gases, a lamp sending out light, or a machine producing heat or sound. It is about something leaving its source and moving outward.
The word is often used for gases, light, heat, sound, radiation, or other things that are produced and released. A factory may have emissions that need to be controlled to protect the environment. Some emissions are intentional, like a radio transmitter sending out a signal, and some are just a result of a process, like heat from a running engine.
The word "emission" refers to the act of releasing or sending out something from a source. It is used for many kinds of things, especially gases, particles, light, heat, sound, radiation, or signals.
For example, factories and power plants often monitor their emissions, especially the release of pollutants into the air, to meet environmental rules. A lighthouse emits light to guide ships. A speaker emits sound waves. A hot object emits heat. In science, the word is also used for things like the emission of radiation or particles.
The word is most common in technical, scientific, and environmental contexts. It often points to something measurable that comes out of a vehicle, machine, device, material, or natural source. For that reason, people often talk about carbon emissions, vehicle emissions, light emission, or noise emissions.
Sometimes the word can be used more loosely for the giving off of something noticeable, but that is less central than the physical and technical uses. The exact meaning depends on what is being sent out and where it comes from.
So whether it is smoke from a chimney, light from the sun, heat from an engine, or a signal from a transmitter, an emission is something that is sent out from a particular source.
Examples
- 1
Climate policy
The city plans to cut carbon emissions by expanding public transport.
- 2
Vehicle standards
New diesel trucks must meet tougher emission standards.
- 3
Climate science
The report links rising methane emissions to warmer temperatures in the Arctic.
- 4
Toxic release
The plant was shut down after a sudden emission of toxic gas.
- Patternemission of + substance/energy
the release of it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Lab measurement
In the lab, the team measured the emission of light from the heated material.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- emissionnoun
Forms
- emissionspluralnoun