mesosphere

[ mez-uh-sfeer, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh- ]
/ ˈmɛz əˌsfɪər, ˈmɛs-, ˈmi zə-, -sə- /

noun

(in the classification of the earth's atmosphere by chemical properties) the region between the ionosphere and the exosphere, extending from about 250–650 miles (400–1050 km) above the surface of the earth.
(in the classification of the earth's atmosphere by thermal properties) the region between the stratosphere and the thermosphere, extending from about 20–50 miles (32–80 km) above the surface of the earth.

Origin of mesosphere

First recorded in 1945–50; meso- + -sphere

OTHER WORDS FROM mesosphere

mes·o·spher·ic [mez-uh-sfer-ik, mes-, mee-zuh-, -suh-] /ˌmɛz əˈsfɛr ɪk, ˌmɛs-, ˌmi zə-, -sə-/, adjective

Words nearby mesosphere

mesoscale, mesosigmoid, mesosigmoiditis, mesosigmoidopexy, mesosome, mesosphere, mesosystolic, mesotendineum, mesothelioma, mesothelium, mesotherapy

Example sentences from the Web for mesosphere

  • What about the incidence of penetrating meteors in the mesosphere?

    A Fine Fix |R. C. Noll

British Dictionary definitions for mesosphere

mesosphere
/ (ˈmɛsəʊˌsfɪə) /

noun

the atmospheric layer lying between the stratosphere and the thermosphere, characterized by a rapid decrease in temperature with height
the solid part of the earth's mantle lying between the asthenosphere and the core

Derived forms of mesosphere

mesospheric (ˌmɛsəʊˈsfɛrɪk), adjective

Scientific definitions for mesosphere

mesosphere
[ mĕz′ə-sfîr′ ]

The region of the Earth's atmosphere lying above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere, from a height of about 50 km (31 mi) to about 80 km (50 mi) above the Earth's surface. In the mesosphere temperatures decrease with increasing altitude due to the decreasing absorption of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. At the top of this region temperatures are around -95°C (-135.4°F). Most of the meteors that enter Earth's atmosphere burn up while passing through the mesosphere. See also exosphere stratosphere thermosphere troposphere. See illustration at atmosphere.