# greenhouse

/ˈɡɹinˌhaʊs/ (US) · /ɡɹˈiːnhaʊs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/greenhouse
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. building for plants

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- He grows tomatoes and peppers in his greenhouse during the winter.
- The botanical garden features a massive Victorian greenhouse that houses rare tropical orchids requiring constant humidity and warmth.

### 2. hot global climate

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

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

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

- Scientists study ancient greenhouse periods to understand modern global warming.
- During the Eocene, the planet was in a greenhouse state, with lush forests extending even into the polar regions.

### 3. aircraft cockpit

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang · Archaic

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

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

- The pilot looked out through the greenhouse as he prepared for takeoff.
- The vintage bomber was famous for its extensive greenhouse, which provided the crew with excellent visibility during low-altitude missions.

### 4. to put in a greenhouse

verb · CEFR B2

to put plants inside a greenhouse to help them grow.

For teachers: to place or cultivate plants within a greenhouse environment.

- You should greenhouse these seedlings before the first frost hits.
- 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.

## Examples

- She grows tomatoes in her greenhouse during the winter.
- The botanical garden features a massive Victorian greenhouse filled with rare tropical orchids and ferns.
- Commercial growers often utilize automated systems within the greenhouse to monitor humidity and temperature, ensuring optimal yields regardless of external weather patterns.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.