sphere

¹

[sfeer]

noun

1. Geometry.

   1. a solid geometric figure generated by the revolution of a semicircle about its diameter; a round body whose surface is at all points equidistant from the center. Equation: x 2 + y 2 + z 2 = r 2 .

   2. the surface of such a figure; a spherical surface.

2. any rounded body approximately of this form; a globular mass, shell, etc.

3. Astronomy.

   1. a planet or star; heavenly body.

   2. celestial sphere.

   3. any of the transparent, concentric, spherical shells, or layers, in which, according to ancient belief, the planets, stars, and other heavenly bodies were set.

4. the place or environment within which a person or thing exists; a field of activity or operation.

   to be out of one's professional sphere.

   Synonyms: domain, realm, compass, province, area, orbit

5. a particular social world, stratum of society, or walk of life.

   His social sphere is small.

   Synonyms: rank, class

6. a field of something specified.

   a sphere of knowledge.

verb (used with object)

sphered, sphering 

1. to enclose in or as if in a sphere.

2. to form into a sphere.

3. to place among the heavenly spheres.

-sphere

²

1. a combining form of sphere (planisphere ); having a special use in the names of the layers of gases and the like surrounding the earth and other celestial bodies (ionosphere ).

-sphere

¹

combining form

1. having the shape or form of a sphere

   bathysphere

2. indicating a spherelike enveloping mass

   atmosphere

sphere

²

/ sfɪə /

noun

1. maths

   1. a three-dimensional closed surface such that every point on the surface is equidistant from a given point, the centre

   2. the solid figure bounded by this surface or the space enclosed by it. Equation: ( x–a )² + ( y–b )² + ( z–c )² = r ², where r is the radius and ( a, b, c ) are the coordinates of the centre; surface area: 4π r ²; volume: 4π r ³/3

2. any object having approximately this shape; globe

3. the night sky considered as a vaulted roof; firmament

4. any heavenly object such as a planet, natural satellite, or star

5. (in the Ptolemaic or Copernican systems of astronomy) one of a series of revolving hollow globes, arranged concentrically, on whose transparent surfaces the sun (or in the Copernican system the earth), the moon, the planets, and fixed stars were thought to be set, revolving around the earth (or in the Copernican system the sun)

6. particular field of activity; environment

   that's out of my sphere

7. a social class or stratum of society

verb

1. to surround or encircle

2. to place aloft or in the heavens

sphere

1. A three-dimensional geometric surface having all of its points the same distance from a given point.

Other Word Forms

• -spheric combining form
• sphereless adjective
• spherelike adjective
• subsphere noun
• unsphering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of -sphere¹

1250–1300; < Late Latin sphēra, Latin sphaera globe < Greek sphaîra ball; replacing Middle English spere < Old French spere < Late Latin spēra, variant of sphēra

Word History and Origins

Origin of -sphere¹

C14: from Late Latin sphēra, from Latin sphaera globe, from Greek sphaira

Example Sentences

Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and recent steps to test the alliance have highlighted Poland’s long-ignored warning that Russia, under Putin, wants to resurrect its traditional sphere of influence in Eastern Europe.

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The market’s undulations staying confined to the financial sphere can be a good thing.

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The crash and ensuing tensions marked a diplomatic rift between Russia and Azerbaijan and marked one of the most significant clashes between Russia and leaders of former Soviet republics it once regarded as subordinates within its strategic sphere.

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The crucial insight of today’s Roberts court might be put this way: Imperious judicial decisions distort and infantilize the political sphere.

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The case is the latest in the healthcare sphere that has split red and blue states.

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Related Words

• circle 
• field 
• realm 
• scope