spherical
adjective
spher·i·cal
ˈsfir-i-kəl 
ˈsfer-
1
: having the form of a sphere or of one of its segments
2
: relating to or dealing with a sphere or its properties
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Something spherical is like a sphere in being round, or more or less round, in three dimensions. Apples and oranges are both spherical, for example, even though they're never perfectly round. A spheroid has a roughly spherical shape; so an asteroid, for instance, is often spheroidal—fairly round, but lumpy.
Examples of spherical in a Sentence
the planet Earth is not, in fact, perfectly spherical
Recent Examples on the Web
The piece, decorated with spherical lapis lazuli beads, vanished from a safe in a conservation laboratory on September 9.
—
CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Benefits include one pair of frames and two lenses, including lower-cost spherical lenses meant for people with relatively lower prescriptions.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
The canyon-like layout consists of four spherical structures connected by curving platforms, courtyards, and pedestrian bridges; 3 of the 18 floors are below ground.
—Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
Covered with tentacles, shaped like rods, perfectly spherical?
—Veronique Greenwood, Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
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CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Benefits include one pair of frames and two lenses, including lower-cost spherical lenses meant for people with relatively lower prescriptions.
—John Aguilar, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
The canyon-like layout consists of four spherical structures connected by curving platforms, courtyards, and pedestrian bridges; 3 of the 18 floors are below ground.
—Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
Covered with tentacles, shaped like rods, perfectly spherical?
—Veronique Greenwood, Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spherical
Cite this Entry
“Spherical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spherical. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spherical
adjective
spher·i·cal
ˈsfir-i-kəl
ˈsfer-
: relating to or having the form of a sphere or part of a sphere
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