stratosphere

American  

[strat-uh-sfeer] / ˈstræt əˌsfɪər /

noun

1. the region of the upper atmosphere extending upward from the tropopause to about 30 miles (50 km) above the earth, characterized by little vertical change in temperature.

2. (formerly) all of the earth's atmosphere lying outside the troposphere.

3. any great height or degree, as the highest point of a graded scale.

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stratosphere British  

/ ˌstrætəˈsfɛrɪk, ˈstrætəˌsfɪə /

noun

1. the atmospheric layer lying between the troposphere and the mesosphere, in which temperature generally increases with height

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stratosphere Scientific  

/ străt′ə-sfîr′ /

1. The region of the Earth's atmosphere extending from the tropopause to about 50 km (31 mi) above the Earth's surface. The stratosphere is characterized by the presence of ozone gas (in the ozone layer) and by temperatures which rise slightly with altitude, due to the absorption of ultraviolet radiation.

2. See also exosphere mesosphere thermosphere troposphere See illustration at atmosphere

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stratosphere Cultural  

1. The region of the atmosphere of the Earth above the troposphere. The stratosphere begins at an altitude of seven to ten miles and extends to approximately thirty miles.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• stratospherical
  adjective
• stratospheric
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of stratosphere

First recorded in 1905–10; strat(um) + -o- + sphere

Compare meaning

How does stratosphere compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• troposphere vs. stratosphere

Explanation

When an astronomer talks about the stratosphere, she means the second layer of Earth's atmosphere, about six miles above the surface of our planet. The atmosphere around Earth is divided into three sections — first, the troposphere, next the stratosphere, and finally the outer layer, the mesosphere. It sounds like outer space, but actually large commercial airplanes often fly at altitudes that reach the stratosphere. People also use the word stratosphere in a figurative way to mean "really high," as when a car salesman brags, "Our sales this month have skyrocketed into the stratosphere!"

Example Sentences

A University of Oklahoma-led article published in Geophysical Research Letters highlights newly measured extremes recorded during the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dynamics and Chemistry of the Summer Stratosphere field project.

From Science Daily • Oct. 19, 2023

The company recently received unanimous approval to expand its Vegas Loop project to include stops at landmarks like the Stratosphere and Fremont Street.

From The Verge • Jun. 30, 2022

Nine days ago, he conquered the neighboring and taller Stratosphere Tower.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 12, 2021

A ReBar regular, he lives near the Stratosphere and works for Clark County.

From New York Times • Feb. 14, 2019

People watch with mild interest through the glass wall of the Stratosphere crown—well-dressed people eating escargot and drinking radiation as their restaurant slowly revolves—and I realize I’m part of the evening’s entertainment.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• atmosphere
• breeze
• wind