stratosphere

noun

strato·​sphere ˈstra-tə-ˌsfir How to pronounce stratosphere (audio)
1
: the part of the earth's atmosphere which extends from the top of the troposphere to about 30 miles (50 kilometers) above the surface and in which temperature increases gradually to about 32°F (0°C) and clouds rarely form
2
: a very high or the highest region on or as if on a graded scale
construction costs in the stratosphere
the celebrity stratosphere
stratospheric adjective
stratospherically
ˌstra-tə-ˈsfir-i-k(ə-)lē
-ˈsfer-
adverb

Did you know?

The stratosphere (strato- simply means "layer" or "level") lies above the earth's weather and mostly changes very little. It contains the ozone layer, which shields us from the sun's ultraviolet radiation except where it's been harmed by manmade chemicals. The levels of the atmosphere are marked particularly by their temperatures; stratospheric temperatures rise only to around 32°—very moderate considering that temperatures in the troposphere below may descend to about -70° and those in the ionosphere above may rise to 1000°.

Examples of stratosphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But also because history itself serves up what would no doubt be one of the production’s most dramatic scenes: Poiret, on the descent, meets Coco Chanel, very much on her way to fashion’s stratosphere. Mark Holgate, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2024 There’s something afoot in the starlet stratosphere. Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2024 The win is the Clippers’ first over the Lakers’ this season, something that would matter if the teams were in the same standings stratosphere. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2024 The problem is Dobbs, Mullens, and Hall aren’t in the same stratosphere as Cousins. Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 2 Jan. 2024 This move into the salary stratosphere didn’t start with Erik Spoelstra. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2024 Her personal style permeates the fashion stratosphere: A faux fur leopard print coat with a striped navy blue and white boat neck sweater, anyone? Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2023 With the ultimate cosign, Ice had enough auxiliary star power to launch her into the pop stratosphere and the upper echelon of the charts. Heran Mamo, Billboard, 14 Dec. 2023 Learning how the Eocene stratosphere influenced the climate will help scientists get a better handle on what to expect next. Matt Simon, WIRED, 29 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stratosphere.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French stratosphère, probably from stratus stratus (from the zone's layer-like character, compared to stratus clouds) + -o- -o- + -sphère -sphere

Note: The term was introduced, along with troposphère, by the French meteorologist Léon Tesserenc de Bort (1855-1913). See note at troposphere.

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stratosphere was in 1908

Dictionary Entries Near stratosphere

Cite this Entry

“Stratosphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stratosphere. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stratosphere

noun
strato·​sphere ˈstrat-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r How to pronounce stratosphere (audio)
: an upper portion of the atmosphere above the troposphere where temperature changes little and clouds rarely form

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