noun
Common
emission
ih-MIHSH-uhn
Emission (noun) means something released or given off, such as gas, light, or radiation. Example: “The factory was fined for excessive carbon emissions.”
noun
1
Something released or given off, such as gas, light, or radiation.
"The factory was fined for excessive carbon emissions."
"Vehicle emissions contribute significantly to air pollution."
"Smoke and other emissions from the chimney drifted slowly over the town."
2
The act of sending something out or releasing it.
"Regulators are tightening rules on the emission of greenhouse gases."
"The emission of sound from the speaker stopped when the power failed."
"Scientists study the emission of heat from the volcano's surface."
How to use emission
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething released into the environment, such as gas or radiation, or the act of releasing it.
Common pairings
carbon emissions
emission levels
reduce emissions
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Word forms
- Plural
- emissions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The factory was fined for excessive carbon _____.
Etymology
From Latin emissio, "a sending forth," from emittere, "to send out" — the same root as emit.
Related words
Rhymes for emission
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for emission →
Frequently asked questions
What does “emission” mean?
The word “emission” means something released or given off, such as gas, light, or radiation. In plain terms, something released into the environment, such as gas or radiation, or the act of releasing it.
How do you pronounce “emission”?
“Emission” is pronounced ih-MIHSH-uhn (/ɪˈmɪʃ.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “emission” in a sentence?
Here is “emission” used in a sentence: “The factory was fined for excessive carbon emissions.”
What part of speech is “emission”?
“Emission” is a noun.
Where does the word “emission” come from?
The word “emission” comes from Latin. From Latin emissio, "a sending forth," from emittere, "to send out" — the same root as emit.
Is “emission” a common word?
“Emission” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “emission” have?
“Emission” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something released or given off, such as gas, light, or radiation.
What is the difference between "emission" and "emissions"?
"Emission" in the singular can refer to a single instance of something released, such as light or gas, or to the general act of releasing it. "Emissions," the plural, is most commonly used in environmental contexts to refer collectively to pollutants or gases, such as "carbon emissions" or "vehicle emissions."
What is the difference between "emission" and "emit"?
"Emit" is the verb describing the act of sending something out or releasing it, as in "the sun emits light." "Emission" is the related noun, referring either to that act of releasing or to the substance released itself.
Why is "emission" commonly used in discussions about the environment?
"Emission" is widely used in environmental and scientific contexts because it precisely describes gases, particles, or radiation released into the atmosphere, such as from vehicles or factories. This makes it the standard technical term for discussing pollution levels and climate impact.
