mesosphere

noun

me·​so·​sphere ˈme-zə-ˌsfir How to pronounce mesosphere (audio)
ˈmē-,
-sə-
: the part of the earth's atmosphere between the stratosphere and the thermosphere in which temperature decreases with altitude to the atmosphere's absolute minimum
mesospheric
ˌme-zə-ˈsfir-ik How to pronounce mesosphere (audio)
ˌmē-
-sə-
-ˈsfer-
adjective

Examples of mesosphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The volcanic eruption shot gas and ash 36 miles up into Earth’s mesosphere, higher than the plume from any other volcano on record. Rahul Rao, Popular Science, 7 Sep. 2023 Meteors typically occur in the mesosphere, which is around 30 to 50 miles from Earth’s surface. Marina Johnson, Detroit Free Press, 10 Aug. 2023 These conditions are ideal for spotting noctilucent clouds, shimmering blue clouds composed of ice crystals that form in the mesosphere some 50 miles above Earth. Justin Grieser, Washington Post, 21 June 2023 With the Mk-II Aurora, the company seeks to be able to fly the vehicle twice a day, offering a platform for applications such as environmental research in the mesosphere and thermosphere. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 5 Apr. 2023 The mesosphere is also exceedingly dry. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 6 Dec. 2016 But this new study comes with higher hopes—designing a flight system so stable that researchers could simply let these devices loose in the mesosphere. Max G. Levy, Wired, 12 Feb. 2021 But the mesosphere is so high that another source of dust is needed. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 6 Dec. 2016 High in the mesosphere above Earth’s North and South Poles, feathery, glowing clouds occasionally stripe the night sky. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mesosphere.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

meso- + -sphere

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mesosphere was in 1950

Dictionary Entries Near mesosphere

Cite this Entry

“Mesosphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mesosphere. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mesosphere

noun
me·​so·​sphere ˈmez-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r How to pronounce mesosphere (audio)
ˈmēz-,
ˈmēs-,
ˈmes-
: a layer of the atmosphere extending from the top of the stratosphere to an altitude of about 50 miles (80 kilometers)

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