troposphere

[ trop-uh-sfeer, troh-puh- ]
/ ˈtrɒp əˌsfɪər, ˈtroʊ pə- /

noun Meteorology.

the lowest layer of the atmosphere, 6 miles (10 km) high in some areas and as much as 12 miles (20 km) high in others, within which there is a steady drop in temperature with increasing altitude and within which nearly all cloud formations occur and weather conditions manifest themselves.

Origin of troposphere

First recorded in 1905–10; tropo- + sphere

OTHER WORDS FROM troposphere

trop·o·spher·ic [trop-uh-sfer-ik, -sfeer-, troh-puh-] /ˌtrɒp əˈsfɛr ɪk, -ˈsfɪər-, ˌtroʊ pə-/, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for troposphere

British Dictionary definitions for troposphere

troposphere
/ (ˈtrɒpəˌsfɪə) /

noun

the lowest atmospheric layer, about 18 kilometres (11 miles) thick at the equator to about 6 km (4 miles) at the Poles, in which air temperature decreases normally with height at about 6.5°C per km

Derived forms of troposphere

tropospheric (ˌtrɒpəˈsfɛrɪk), adjective

Scientific definitions for troposphere

troposphere
[ trōpə-sfîr′, trŏpə- ]

The lowest and densest region of the Earth's atmosphere, extending from the Earth's surface to the tropopause. The troposphere is characterized by temperatures that decrease with increasing altitude. At the top of this region, temperatures are close to -55°C (-67°F). The weather, major wind systems, and cloud formations occur mostly in the troposphere. See also exosphere mesosphere stratosphere thermosphere. See illustration at atmosphere.

Cultural definitions for troposphere

troposphere
[ (troh-puh-sfeer, trop-uh-sfeer) ]

The lowest layer of the atmosphere of the Earth, extending from ground level to an altitude of seven to ten miles.