biosphere

noun

bio·​sphere ˈbī-ə-ˌsfir How to pronounce biosphere (audio)
1
: the part of the world in which life can exist
2
: living organisms together with their environment
biospheric
ˌbī-ə-ˈsfir-ik How to pronounce biosphere (audio)
-ˈsfer-
-ˈsfe-rik
adjective

Did you know?

The lithosphere is the solid surface of the earth (lith- meaning "rock"); the hydrosphere is the earth's water (hydro- means "water"), including the clouds and water vapor in the air; and the atmosphere is the earth's air (atmos- meaning "vapor"). The term biosphere can include all of these, along with the 10 million species of living things they contain. The biosphere recycles its air, water, organisms, and minerals constantly to maintain an amazingly balanced state; human beings should probably do their best to imitate it. Though the word has a new sound to it, it was first used over a hundred years ago.

Examples of biosphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The three most colossal creatures across land, sea and air within that tropical biosphere hold, in their DNA, the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 July 2025 In Jurassic World Rebirth, only a limited number of dinosaurs remain and reside in specialized biospheres, and three of these creatures hold the key to a potentially life-saving drug. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025 These assaults on the biosphere were halted by the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty of 1963. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 2 June 2025 The third and longest phase would focus on building a complex biosphere, increasing atmospheric pressure and oxygen content to eventually support more advanced plant life, and, in the very long term, potentially allow humans to breathe unassisted. Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for biosphere

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Biosphäre, from bio- bio- + -sphäre -sphere

Note: Biosphäre was introduced by the Austrian geologist Eduard Suess (1831-1914) in Die Entstehung der Alpen (Vienna, 1875), p. 159.

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of biosphere was in 1899

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Cite this Entry

“Biosphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biosphere. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

biosphere

noun
bio·​sphere ˈbī-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r How to pronounce biosphere (audio)
: the part of the world in which life can exist

Medical Definition

biosphere

noun
bio·​sphere ˈbī-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r How to pronounce biosphere (audio)
1
: the part of the world in which life can exist
2
: living beings together with their environment

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