Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

planisphere

noun
pla·​ni·​sphere | \ ˈplā-nə-ˌsfir How to pronounce planisphere (audio) \

Definition of planisphere

: a representation of the circles of the sphere on a plane especially : a polar projection of the celestial sphere and the stars on a plane with adjustable circles or other appendages for showing celestial phenomena for any given time
Other Words from planisphere Example Sentences Learn More about planisphere

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from planisphere

planispheric \ ˌplā-​nə-​ˈsfir-​ik How to pronounce planispheric (audio) , -​ˈsfer-​ How to pronounce planispheric (audio) \ adjective

Examples of planisphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Kids can craft their own planispheres and play games about the night sky. — Sara Cagle, Los Angeles Times, "Celebrating heritage, surfing and anime at weekend events near L.A.," 31 July 2019

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

First Known Use of planisphere

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for planisphere

alteration of Middle English planisperie, from Medieval Latin planisphaerium, from Latin planum plane + sphaera sphere

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about planisphere

Statistics for planisphere

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for planisphere

The first known use of planisphere was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

More from Merriam-Webster on planisphere

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about planisphere

Comments on planisphere

What made you want to look up planisphere? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

comprise

Listen to the pronounciation of comprise

to be made up of

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Where in the World? A Quiz

  • peter bruegel tower of babel painting
  • What language does pajama come from?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games