atmospheric

adjective at·mo·spher·ic \ ˌat-mə-ˈsfir-ik , -ˈsfer- \

Updated on: 22 May 2018

Definition of atmospheric

1 a : of, relating to, or occurring in the atmosphere

atmospheric dust

b : resembling the atmosphere : airy

2 : having, marked by, or contributing aesthetic or emotional atmosphere

an atmospheric inn

; also : marked by an emphasis on impression or tone

—

atmospherically

play \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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Recent Examples of atmospheric from the Web

The Venus that was Carson's second home is a hellscape of crushing, superheated atmospheric pressure.

— steve donoghue, The Christian Science Monitor, "3 books about planets," 18 May 2018
The waves of atmospheric pressure are the same for everyone; but past that, every inner ear and every brain are doing something just a little bit different.

— adam rogers, WIRED, "The Fundamental Nihilism of Yanny vs. Laurel," 16 May 2018
At sea level, atmospheric pressure is about 14.7 psi (pounds per square inch), Thomas Anthony, director of the University of Southern California’s aviation security program, told the Verge.

— rick noack, Washington Post, "Co-pilot sucked halfway out of plane after windshield breaks off over China," 15 May 2018
The Red Planet's average atmospheric pressure at the surface is about 6 millibars (0.09 psi), less than 0.06 percent of the air pressure at sea level on Earth.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "How to Fly a Helicopter on Mars," 15 May 2018
His probe, placed a mere 82 seconds ahead of the storm, captured the biggest drop in atmospheric pressure and the lowest pressure at the Earth’s surface ever recorded.

— mark yost, WSJ, "‘The Man Who Caught the Storm’ Review: Chasing Monsters," 4 May 2018
Beyond that, the atmospheric pressures over the eastern Pacific Ocean that govern California’s weather seem to strengthen in the model simulations.

— scott k. johnson, Ars Technica, "California can look forward to more extreme dry-wet “climate whiplash”," 25 Apr. 2018
Spray nozzle noted connected to the atmospheric pressure back flow device.

— lorraine longhi, azcentral, "Restaurant inspections: Meat stored in cardboard boxes among violations," 11 Apr. 2018
Measuring storms is difficult along Mexico’s coasts, where the infrastructure to gather basic information about wind speed and atmospheric pressure is limited.

— latimes.com, "Mexico's disaster bonds were meant to provide quick cash after hurricanes and earthquakes. But it often hasn’t worked out that way," 8 Apr. 2018

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

First Known Use of atmospheric

1722

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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ATMOSPHERIC Defined for English Language Learners

atmospheric

adjective

Definition of atmospheric for English Language Learners

: of or relating to the atmosphere of the Earth or another planet
: creating a pleasant or exciting mood or feeling

ATMOSPHERIC Defined for Kids

atmospheric

adjective at·mo·spher·ic \ ˌat-mə-ˈsfir-ik , -ˈsfer- \

Definition of atmospheric for Students

: of or relating to the atmosphere

atmospheric gases

Learn More about atmospheric

See words that rhyme with atmospheric Spanish Central: Translation of atmospheric Nglish: Translation of atmospheric for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of atmospheric for Arabic speakers

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atmospheric

Definition of atmospheric

atmospherically

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atmospheric

Definition of atmospheric for English Language Learners

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atmospheric

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atmospheric

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atmospherically

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