hydrosphere

[ hahy-druh-sfeer ]
/ ˈhaɪ drəˌsfɪər /

noun

the water on or surrounding the surface of the globe, including the water of the oceans and the water in the atmosphere.

Origin of hydrosphere

First recorded in 1885–90; hydro-1 + -sphere

Example sentences from the Web for hydrosphere

British Dictionary definitions for hydrosphere

hydrosphere
/ (ˈhaɪdrəˌsfɪə) /

noun

the watery part of the earth's surface, including oceans, lakes, water vapour in the atmosphere, etc

Derived forms of hydrosphere

hydrospheric, adjective

Scientific definitions for hydrosphere

hydrosphere
[ hīdrə-sfîr′ ]

All of the Earth's water, including surface water (water in oceans, lakes, and rivers), groundwater (water in soil and beneath the Earth's surface), snowcover, ice, and water in the atmosphere, including water vapor. Compare asthenosphere atmosphere lithosphere.