sphere

play

noun \ˈsfir\

Definition of sphere

1a (1) : the apparent surface of the heavens of which half forms the dome of the visible sky (2) : any of the concentric and eccentric revolving spherical transparent shells in which according to ancient astronomy stars, sun, planets, and moon are setb : a globe depicting such a sphere; broadly : globe a
2a : a globular body : ballb : planet, starc (1) : a solid that is bounded by a surface consisting of all points at a given distance from a point constituting its center — see volume table (2) : the bounding surface of a sphere
3 : natural, normal, or proper place; especially : social order or rank not in the same sphere as his moneyed friends
4a obsolete : orbitb : an area or range over or within which someone or something acts, exists, or has influence or significance the public sphere

spheric

play \ˈsfir-ik, ˈsfer-\ adjective, archaic

sphericity

play \sfir-ˈi-sə-tē\ noun

See sphere defined for English-language learners

See sphere defined for kids

Examples of sphere in a Sentence

All points on a sphere are the same distance from the center.
Women at that time were confined to the domestic sphere.
They recognize that jobs in the public sphere are valuable.

Recent Examples of sphere from the Web

Developer Vicarious Visions chose authenticity over improvement, and, in the sphere of gaming history and archival, that choice matters.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy: As good as the uneven series will ever get", 2 July 2017
The dish is served with french fries, kale slaw and little spheres of hot sauce on the house buttermilk-herb dressing.

— carol deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The tastes of summer: the cocktail and dish to try in Milwaukee", 29 June 2017
The conductor in this creative sphere is the Double, Tchaikovsky’s alter ego.

— leilah bernstein, Los Angeles Magazine, "This Ballet About Tchaikovsky Reveals the Composer’s Talent and Torment", 23 June 2017
Their main points have been discussed exhaustively, both in congressional hearings and in the public sphere.

— peter w. stevenson, Washington Post, "The simple reason intelligence officials keep talking about Russian hacking? Trump.", 21 June 2017
So far, astronomers have found only a dozen of the most distant probes of Planet Nine’s supposed sphere of influence.

— joshua sokol, Science | AAAS, "New haul of distant worlds casts doubt on Planet Nine", 21 June 2017
Prusa is celebrated for intricate images derived from astrophysics and mathematics, painstakingly drawn in silverpoint onto large acrylic spheres.

— george fishman, miamiherald, "At Boca glass show, you won’t find your aunt’s collection of swans and clowns", 16 June 2017
The online retail giant Amazon has made a bold move into the grocery sphere, announcing a $13.7 billion deal Friday (June 16) to buy Whole Foods, according to CNBC.com.

— greg larose, NOLA.com, "Amazon to buy Whole Foods for $13.7 billion: report", 16 June 2017
In March 1958, the U.S. Navy launched a grapefruit-size sphere dubbed Vanguard I into orbit around Earth.

— National Geographic, "4 Everyday Items Einstein Helped Create", 13 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of sphere

Middle English spere globe, celestial sphere, from Anglo-French espere, from Latin sphaera, from Greek sphaira, literally, ball; perhaps akin to Greek spairein to quiver — more at spurn

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith

sphere

verb

Definition of sphere

sphered

;

sphering

transitive verb
1 : to place in a sphere or among the spheres : ensphere
2 : to form into a sphere

First Known Use of sphere

1602

SPHERE Defined for English Language Learners

sphere

play

noun

Definition of sphere for English Language Learners

: a round object
geometry : a three-dimensional shape that looks like a ball
: an area of influence or activity

SPHERE Defined for Kids

sphere

play

noun \ˈsfir\

Definition of sphere for Students

1 : an object (as the moon) shaped like a ball
2 : a figure so shaped that every point on its surface is an equal distance from its center
3 : a field of influence or activity Electrical work is outside a plumber's sphere.