lithosphere
[ lith-uh-sfeer ]
/ ˈlɪθ əˌsfɪər /
|
noun Geology.
the solid portion of the earth (distinguished from atmosphere, hydrosphere).
the crust and upper mantle of the earth.
Nearby words
lithoprint, lithops, lithoscope, lithosere, lithosol, lithosphere, lithospheric, lithostatic, lithostratigraphy, lithotomic, lithotomy
Also called ge·o·sphere [jee-uh-sfeer] /ˈdʒi əˌsfɪər/.
Related forms
lith·o·spher·ic [lith-uh-sfer-ik] /ˌlɪθ əˈsfɛr ɪk/, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for lithosphere
British Dictionary definitions for lithosphere
lithosphere
/ (ˈlɪθəˌsfɪə) /
noun
the rigid outer layer of the earth, having an average thickness of about 75 km and comprising the earth's crust and the solid part of the mantle above the asthenosphere
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Science definitions for lithosphere
lithosphere
[ lĭth′ə-sfîr′ ]
The outer part of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle. It is about 55 km (34 mi) thick beneath the oceans and up to about 200 km (124 mi) thick beneath the continents. The high velocity with which seismic waves propagate through the lithosphere suggests that it is completely solid. Compare asthenosphere atmosphere hydrosphere.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Culture definitions for lithosphere
lithosphere
[ (lith-uh-sfeer) ]
The outer layer of the Earth, comprising the crust and the upper part of the mantle. The lithosphere is about sixty miles thick.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.