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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.

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Also called ge·o·sphere [jee-uh-sfeer] /ˈdʒi əˌsfɪər/ .

Origin of lithosphere

First recorded in 1885–90; litho- + -sphere

OTHER WORDS FROM lithosphere

lith·o·spher·ic [lith-uh-sfer-ik], /ˌlɪθ əˈsfɛr ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby lithosphere

lithoprint, lithops, lithoscope, lithosere, lithosol, lithosphere, Lithostat, lithostatic, lithostratigraphy, lithotomy, lithotomy position
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences 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

Scientific 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.

Cultural 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.