sphere

1 of 3

noun

ˈsfir 

1

a(1)

: the apparent surface of the heavens of which half forms the dome of the visible sky

(2)

: any of the concentric and eccentric revolving spherical transparent shells in which according to ancient astronomy stars, sun, planets, and moon are set

b

: a globe depicting such a sphere

broadly : globe sense a

2

a

: a globular body : ball

b

: planet, star

c(1)

: a solid that is bounded by a surface consisting of all points at a given distance from a point constituting its center see Volume Formulas Table

(2)

: the bounding surface of a sphere

3

: natural, normal, or proper place

especially : social order or rank

not in the same sphere as his moneyed friends

4

a

obsolete : orbit

b

: an area or range over or within which someone or something acts, exists, or has influence or significance

the public sphere

spheric

ˈsfir-ik 

ˈsfer-

adjective archaic

sphericity

sfir-ˈi-sə-tē 

noun

sphere

2 of 3

verb

sphered; sphering

transitive verb

1

: to place in a sphere or among the spheres : ensphere

2

: to form into a sphere

-sphere

3 of 3

combining form

ˌsfir

1

: zone, layer or region enveloping or radiating from the earth or another celestial body

ionosphere

magnetosphere

2

: collectivity : totality (as specified by the initial element)

biosphere

blogosphere

Synonyms

Noun

• ball
• globe
• orb

Examples of sphere in a Sentence

Noun

All points on a sphere are the same distance from the center.

Women at that time were confined to the domestic sphere.

They recognize that jobs in the public sphere are valuable.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Encouraging infrastructure growth is a delicate and complicated process, requiring buy-in and cooperation from many actors in both the private and public spheres. —Gordon Bitko, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

The Fondazione Prada, which has its headquarters in a Milan arts center that has a bar designed by Wes Anderson, has long been active in the film sphere. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 14 May 2025

Verb

The night culminated with a countdown as a glowing geodesic sphere 12 feet in diameter and weighing almost six tons descended from its lofty perch atop One Times Square. —CBS News, 1 Jan. 2023

And young people are innovating outside that sphere as well, including Southern-gothic singer-songwriter Ethel Cain and art-rockers Geese. —Vulture, 6 June 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English spere globe, celestial sphere, from Anglo-French espere, from Latin sphaera, from Greek sphaira, literally, ball; perhaps akin to Greek spairein to quiver — more at spurn entry 1

Combining form

extracted from atmosphere

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sphere

• armillary sphere
• celestial sphere
• sphere of influence

Rhymes for sphere

• beer
• bier
• cheer
• clear
• dear
• deer
• drear
• ear
• fear
• fier
• gear
• hear

Kids Definition

sphere

noun

ˈsfi(ə)r

1

a

: a globe-shaped body : ball, globe

b

: a solid geometric shape whose surface is made up of all the points that are an equal distance from the point that is the shape's center

c

: the surface of a sphere

2

: a field of influence or activity

the public sphere

sphericity

sfir-ˈis-ət-ē

noun