photosphere

noun

pho·​to·​sphere ˈfō-tə-ˌsfir How to pronounce photosphere (audio)
1
: a sphere of light or radiance
2
: the luminous surface layer of the sun or a star
photospheric adjective

Examples of photosphere 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 timelapse highlights changes in brightness and structure within the corona, which become easier to observe when the sun's photosphere is completely blocked. Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026 When the bright photosphere is hidden, light levels plunge. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 12 Feb. 2026 The area of plasma, or highly ionized gas, extends thousands of kilometers above the sun’s visible surface, called the photosphere. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 20 Jan. 2026 The Sun has very little of these elements present in its photosphere, but the Moon’s crust and regolith is almost exclusively composed of these heavier elements. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for photosphere

Word History

Etymology

photo- + -sphere; in sense 2 probably as translation of German Lichtatmosphäre

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of photosphere was in 1664

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Photosphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photosphere. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

photosphere

noun
pho·​to·​sphere ˈfōt-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r How to pronounce photosphere (audio)
: the shining surface of the sun or a star
photospheric adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on photosphere

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster