warming

The word “warming” means a gradual increase in temperature. In plain terms, the process of getting warmer, most often heard today in the context of climate change.

“Warming” is pronounced WAW-mihng (/ˈwoɹmɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “warming” used in a sentence: “Scientists have recorded a steady warming of the oceans over recent decades.”

“Warming” is a noun.

“Warming” is a fairly common word in modern English.

Warming is the general term for any gradual increase in temperature, whether of a room, an ocean, or the climate. Global warming refers specifically to the long-term rise in Earth's average temperature. Every instance of global warming is warming, but not all warming is global.

Both describe a rise in temperature, but warming suggests a gradual or gentle increase, while heating usually implies a stronger or more deliberate application of heat. You would describe a slow warming trend in the climate, but speak of heating a house or heating food.

Its core meaning is a gradual increase in temperature, but warming is also used figuratively for attitudes or relationships becoming friendlier, as in "a warming of relations between the two countries." Context makes clear whether the increase is literal heat or figurative goodwill.