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

Example Sentences

Sulfur in the stratosphere can reflect sunlight and cool the planet, potentially setting off feedback effects such as expanding sea ice, shifting winds, and disrupted ocean circulation.

From Science Daily

There is so much demand for these hunks of carbon fiber that bats have entered the stratosphere of products known in the retail industry as “high heat.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Discovery stretches into the stratosphere, a painful truth emerged.

From Los Angeles Times

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

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• atmosphere
• breeze
• wind