magnetosphere

noun

mag·​ne·​to·​sphere mag-ˈnē-tə-ˌsfir 

-ˈne-

: a region of space surrounding a celestial object (such as a planet or star) that is dominated by the object's magnetic field so that charged particles are trapped in it

magnetospheric

mag-ˌnē-tə-ˈsfir-ik 

-ˈsfer-, 

-ˌne-

adjective

Examples of magnetosphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The rapid crushing down of this stellar core doesn't just create a body of incredible density, but also creates magnetic fields that can be 1 quadrillion times stronger than Earth's magnetosphere. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026

The alignment allows energetic particles from the sun to more easily enter Earth’s magnetosphere. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

When Bz turns southward, solar energy can more easily penetrate Earth’s magnetosphere. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026

The shape of the magnetosphere explains why solar wind can strip away some particles in Earth’s atmosphere and guide them out into space. —Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 13 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

magneto- + -sphere

Note: Term introduced by the Austrian-born physicist Thomas Gold (1920-2004) in "Motions in the Magnetosphere of the Earth," Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 64, no. 9 (September, 1959), pp. 1219-24.

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for magnetosphere

• acyclovir
• asthenosphere
• ganciclovir
• atmosphere
• biosphere
• centromere
• chemosphere
• chromosphere
• hemisphere
• hydrosphere
• lithosphere
• mesosphere

Kids Definition

magnetosphere

noun

mag·​ne·​to·​sphere mag-ˈnēt-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r 

-ˈnet-

: a region of space around an object (as a planet or star) that is dominated by the object's magnetic field