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

• stratospheric adjective
• stratospherical 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

But its explosion into the zeitgeist since its debut last November has propelled its cast - and the people behind the scenes - into the stratosphere.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

If a tree needs to be significantly pruned or cut down, you will enter another stratosphere of cost.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

The delays have complicated an already daunting task for the duo who have been catapulted into Paris Haute Couture Week and the fashion stratosphere, which some designers spend a lifetime hoping to enter.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

Throughout 2025, De Los has championed the rise of the Latino artists from their respective musical silos and into the broader global pop stratosphere.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2025

If it were distributed evenly throughout the stratosphere, it would form a layer just one eighth of an inch or so thick.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• atmosphere
• breeze
• wind