atmosphere

noun at·mo·sphere \ ˈat-mə-ˌsfir \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Examples: atmosphere in a Sentence

Definition of atmosphere

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

play \-ˌsfird\ adjective

See atmosphere defined for English-language learners

See atmosphere defined for kids

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 of atmosphere from the Web

That pushes the festive quotient into the atmosphere.

— emily spicer, San Antonio Express-News, "How to make piña coladas served in a pineapple," 11 July 2018
The object likely struck a grazing blow on the planet, since a direct hit would have destroyed its atmosphere.

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "'Cataclysmic' collision turned Uranus on its side 4 billion years ago," 3 July 2018
Ultimately Titan, with its tantalizingly thick atmosphere, won out.

— eric berger, Ars Technica, "Inside the all-American voyage to the last world in the Solar System," 3 July 2018
Such an object would have been sufficient mass and size to create a big collision, but small enough to strip Uranus of less than 10 percent of its atmosphere.

— john wenz, Popular Mechanics, "We Might Finally Know What Smacked Uranus Sideways," 2 July 2018
Scientists are of course keen on looking more closely at Jupiter and its atmosphere with the new JWST, including the iconic red spot.

— shannon stirone, WIRED, "Space Photos of the Week: Scientists Are Seeing Red Over Jupiter’s Spot," 30 June 2018
When asked about upticks in menu prices or changes to the vibe of the neighborhood restaurant beloved for its unpretentious and easygoing atmosphere and affordable, no-fuss burgers, Springstead scoffed.

— allie gross, Detroit Free Press, "Corktown: A community on the verge of change awaits Ford's arrival," 13 June 2018
In any case, Webster said the methane apparently works its way into the atmosphere from sub-surface reservoirs of some sort, places where non-biological geochemistry is going on or where microbial life might somehow flourish.

— william harwood, CBS News, "NASA's Curiosity rover finds potential building blocks of life on Mars," 8 June 2018
English Exchange Practice speaking English in a fun and informal atmosphere, 1:30 p.m. Intermediate knowledge of the language recommended, (2 hr.).

— mary lou cruz, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Wellington area events July 18-28," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'atmosphere.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of atmosphere

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

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."

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1638

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year