atmosphere

at·mo·sphere

noun \ˈat-mə-ˌsfir\

Definition of ATMOSPHERE

1

a : the gaseous envelope of a celestial body (as a planet)

b : the whole mass of air surrounding the earth

2

: the air of a locality

3

: a surrounding influence or environment <an atmosphere of hostility>

4

: a unit of pressure equal to the pressure of the air at sea level or approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch (101,325 pascals)

5

a : the overall aesthetic effect of a work of art

b : an intriguing or singular tone, effect, or appeal <an inn with atmosphere>

— at·mo·sphered \-ˌsfird\ adjective

Examples of ATMOSPHERE

1. Experts have noticed changes in the atmosphere.
2. Meteoroids burn up as they pass through Earth's atmosphere.
3. The planets have different atmospheres.
4. a country inn with lots of atmosphere
5. The food was good but the restaurant has no atmosphere.

Origin of ATMOSPHERE

New Latin atmosphaera, from Greek atmos vapor + Latin sphaera sphere

First Known Use: 1677

Related to ATMOSPHERE

Synonyms

air, ambience (or ambiance), aroma, aura, climate, flavor, halo, karma, mood, nimbus, note, odor, patina, smell, temper, vibration(s)

Related Words

aureole (or aureola), mystique, romance; genius loci; feel, feeling, sensation, sense, spirit; attribute, character, characteristic, image, mark, notion, peculiarity, picture, property, trait; color, illusion, overtone, semblance, suggestion, tone

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

Rhymes with ATMOSPHERE

Agadir, auctioneer, balladeer, bandolier, bathysphere, bayadere, Bedfordshire, Bedivere, belvedere, bend one's ear, biosphere, bombardier, boutonniere, brigadier, buccaneer, budgeteer, Cambridgeshire, cameleer, cannoneer, canyoneer, cassimere, cavalier, chandelier, chanticleer, chevalier, chiffonier, chocolatier, chromosphere, commandeer, corsetiere, crystal clear, cuirassier, Derbyshire, diapir, disappear, domineer, ecosphere, Elzevir, engineer, exosphere, fallow deer, fictioneer, financier, fiscal year, fourdrinier, fusilier, gadgeteer, gasolier, gazetteer, ginger beer, Gloucestershire, gondolier, grenadier, Guinevere, hemisphere, Hertfordshire, Holy Year, inner ear, insincere, interfere, in the clear, jardiniere, junketeer, kerseymere, landing gear, lavaliere, marketeer, Meyerbeer, middle ear, missileer, mountaineer, muleteer, musketeer, mutineer, on one's ear, outer ear, overhear, overseer, oversteer, Oxfordshire, pamphleteer, persevere, photosphere, pioneer, pistoleer, privateer, profiteer, puppeteer, racketeer, rocketeer, running gear, scrutineer, sloganeer, sonneteer, souvenir, Staffordshire, steering gear, stratosphere, summiteer, swimmer's ear, thermosphere, troposphere, Tyne and Wear, understeer, vintage year, Vladimir, volunteer, Warwickshire, Windermere, yesteryear

at·mo·sphere

noun \ˈat-mə-ˌsfi(ə)r\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ATMOSPHERE

1

: the whole mass of air surrounding the earth

2

: the air of a locality

3

: a unit of pressure equal to the pressure of the air at sea level or to 101,325 pascals or to approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch

—at·mo·spher·ic \ˌat-mə-ˈsfi(ə)r-ik, -ˈsfer-\ adjective

atmosphere

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In Earth's atmosphere, the limits of the atmospheric layers are approximate and variable, …—© Merriam-Webster Inc.

Gaseous envelope that surrounds the Earth. Near the surface it has a well-defined chemical composition (see air). In addition to gases, the atmosphere contains solid and liquid particles in suspension. Scientists divide the atmosphere into five main layers: in ascending order, the troposphere (surface to 6–8 mi, or 10–13 km); the stratosphere (4–11 mi, or 6–17 km, to about 30 mi, or 50 km); the mesosphere (31–50 mi, or 50–80 km); the thermosphere (50–300 mi, or 80–480 km); and the exosphere (from 300 mi and gradually dissipating). Most of the atmosphere consists of neutral atoms and molecules, but in the ionosphere a significant fraction is electrically charged. The ionosphere begins near the top of the stratosphere but is most distinct in the thermosphere. See also ozone layer.