mesosphere

noun

me·​so·​sphere ˈme-zə-ˌsfir How to pronounce mesosphere (audio)
ˈmē-,
-sə-
: the part of the earth's atmosphere between the stratosphere and the thermosphere in which temperature decreases with altitude to the atmosphere's absolute minimum
mesospheric
ˌme-zə-ˈsfir-ik How to pronounce mesosphere (audio)
ˌmē-
-sə-
-ˈsfer-
adjective

Examples of mesosphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Alongside other processes, this cools the mesosphere to temperatures as low as minus 210 degrees Fahrenheit, according to EarthSky. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2025 These rare clouds form roughly 50 miles (80 kilometers) above Earth in the mesosphere, a cold layer of the atmosphere located about 43 miles (70 km) above where ordinary clouds form. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 28 May 2025 Flashing through the sky, these red sprites, or red lightning streaks, arise when a sudden flow of electricity shoots through the mesosphere, around 30 miles to 50 miles above Earth. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025 The Soviet rockets actually went beyond the stratosphere to another layer, called the mesosphere, where meteors falling toward Earth burn into shooting stars. Carl Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mesosphere

Word History

Etymology

meso- + -sphere

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mesosphere was in 1950

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mesosphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mesosphere. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

mesosphere

noun
me·​so·​sphere ˈmez-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r How to pronounce mesosphere (audio)
ˈmēz-,
ˈmēs-,
ˈmes-
: a layer of the atmosphere extending from the top of the stratosphere to an altitude of about 50 miles (80 kilometers)

More from Merriam-Webster on mesosphere

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