emission

n. C / U

B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ɪˈmɪʃən// UK //ɪmˈɪʃən// emis·sion

General-service

n. the act of sending out gas, heat, or light into the air. It is often used when talking about pollution from cars or factories.

n. the production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation. Often used in environmental contexts to describe pollutants released into the atmosphere.

SIMPLE

The new car has very low carbon dioxide emission levels.

CONTEXTUAL

The government introduced a new tax to penalize any factory that exceeds its legal emission limits.

COMPLEX

Reducing the global emission of greenhouse gases remains the primary challenge for international climate agreements seeking to mitigate the effects of global warming.

Synonyms

Etymology 1

First attested in 1607. From Middle French émission, from Latin ēmissiō (“sending forth”), from ēmittō (“send out”), from ex (“from, out of”) + mittō (“send”).

Etymology 2

Borrowed from French émission.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general process of discharging; countable when referring to specific types or quantities of substances released.