atmosphere

noun

at·​mo·​sphere ˈat-mə-ˌsfir 

1

a

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

b

: the whole mass of air surrounding the earth

2

: the air of a locality

the stuffy atmosphere of the waiting room

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

atmosphered

ˈat-mə-ˌsfird 

adjective

Synonyms of atmosphere

• aura
• air
• smell
• aroma
• ambience

Examples of atmosphere in a Sentence

Experts have noticed changes in the atmosphere.

Meteoroids burn up as they pass through Earth's atmosphere.

The planets have different atmospheres.

a country inn with lots of atmosphere

The food was good but the restaurant has no atmosphere.

Recent Examples on the Web

The back half of the album maintains this humid atmosphere but spasms into life. — Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 12 Nov. 2026

Similarly, not everybody can afford Dior, Louis Vuitton or Loewe, and there is an irony implicit in public art placed in a rarefied atmosphere where some may not feel welcome. — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026

The film took a hundred and fifty gruelling days to shoot, with reports of delays, quarrels, and a generally trying atmosphere leaking from sets in Paris and Cherbourg. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2026

Dreier says the biggest hurdle for SpaceX in making Starship a rapidly reusable spacecraft is the vehicle's heat shield, the tiles that keep the vehicle from burning up in the atmosphere during reentry. — ABC News, 12 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier in Latinate form atmo-sphæra, from Greek atmós "steam, vapor" (probably contracted from aetmós, of uncertain origin) + -o- -o- + Latin sphaera sphere entry 1

Note: The word atmo-sphæra was apparently introduced by the English clergyman and natural philosopher John Wilkins (1614-72) in The Discovery of a World in the Moone (London, 1638), p. 138: "Proposition 10. That there is an Atmo-sphæra, or an orbe of grosse vaporous aire, immediately encompassing the body of the Moone."

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing atmosphere

• clear the atmosphere

Rhymes for atmosphere

• biosphere
• centromere
• chemosphere
• chromosphere
• hemisphere
• hydrosphere
• lithosphere
• mesosphere
• microsphere
• miserere
• mountaineer
• photosphere

Kids Definition

atmosphere

noun

at·​mo·​sphere ˈat-mə-ˌsfi(ə)r 

1

a

: the whole mass of air surrounding the earth

b

: a mass of gases surrounding a heavenly body (as a planet)

2

: the air in a particular place

the stuffy atmosphere of this room

3

a

: a surrounding influence or set of conditions

a friendly atmosphere

b

: the main mood or feeling in a creative work

c

: a unique or appealing effect or mood

a restaurant with atmosphere

4

: a unit of pressure equal to the pressure of the air at sea level or about 10 newtons per square centimeter (about 14.7 pounds per square inch)

Etymology

derived from Greek atmos "vapor" and Latin sphaera "sphere"

Medical Definition

atmosphere

noun

at·​mo·​sphere ˈat-mə-ˌsfi(ə)r 

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

atmospheric

ˌat-mə-ˈsfi(ə)r-ik, -ˈsfer- 

adjective