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REFERENCE

greenhouse

n. · v.
US //ˈɡɹinˌhaʊs// UK //ɡɹˈiːnhaʊs// green·house
  1. 1 building for plants (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a building made of glass or plastic where you grow plants that need warmth.

    a structure with transparent walls and roof, designed to trap solar radiation for the cultivation of plants in controlled temperatures.

    Example

    He grows tomatoes and peppers in his greenhouse during the winter.

    Example

    The botanical garden features a massive Victorian greenhouse that houses rare tropical orchids requiring constant humidity and warmth.
  2. 2 hot global climate (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Science

    a state where the whole planet becomes much warmer than usual.

    a climatic state of the Earth characterized by high global temperatures and a lack of continental glaciers.

    Example

    Scientists study ancient greenhouse periods to understand modern global warming.

    Example

    During the Eocene, the planet was in a greenhouse state, with lush forests extending even into the polar regions.
    • hothouse earth
    • icehouse
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  1. 3 aircraft cockpit (n.)
    C2 Proficiency British English Slang Archaic Military

    the glass cover over the pilot's seat in an airplane.

    the transparent canopy or glass enclosure of a military aircraft's cockpit.

    Example

    The pilot looked out through the greenhouse as he prepared for takeoff.

    Example

    The vintage bomber was famous for its extensive greenhouse, which provided the crew with excellent visibility during low-altitude missions.
  2. 4 to put in a greenhouse (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    to put plants inside a greenhouse to help them grow.

    to place or cultivate plants within a greenhouse environment.

    Example

    You should greenhouse these seedlings before the first frost hits.

    Example

    The nursery manager decided to greenhouse the delicate saplings to ensure they survived the unusually harsh spring transition.

    Usage

    The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Origin

From green + house ("house for growing greens"), in reference to the produce grown within.

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