stratosphere

[ strat-uh-sfeer ]
/ ˈstræt əˌsfɪər /

noun

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.
(formerly) all of the earth's atmosphere lying outside the troposphere.
any great height or degree, as the highest point of a graded scale.

Origin of stratosphere

First recorded in 1905–10; strat(um) + -o- + sphere

OTHER WORDS FROM stratosphere

strat·o·spher·ic [strat-uh-sfer-ik, -sfeer-] /ˌstræt əˈsfɛr ɪk, -ˈsfɪər-/, strat·o·spher·i·cal, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for stratosphere

British Dictionary definitions for stratosphere

stratosphere
/ (ˈstrætəˌsfɪə) /

noun

the atmospheric layer lying between the troposphere and the mesosphere, in which temperature generally increases with height

Derived forms of stratosphere

stratospheric (ˌstrætəˈsfɛrɪk) or stratospherical, adjective

Scientific definitions for stratosphere

stratosphere
[ strătə-sfîr′ ]

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. See also exosphere mesosphere thermosphere troposphere. See illustration at atmosphere.

Cultural definitions for stratosphere

stratosphere
[ (strat-uh-sfeer) ]

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.