sphere

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈsfir 

1

a(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 set

b

: a globe depicting such a sphere

broadly : globe sense a

2

a

: a globular body : ball

b

: planet, star

c(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 Formulas 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

4

a

obsolete : orbit

b

: an area or range over or within which someone or something acts, exists, or has influence or significance

the public sphere

spheric

ˈsfir-ik 

ˈsfer-

adjective archaic

sphericity

sfir-ˈi-sə-tē 

noun

sphericity

2 of 2

noun (2)

sphe·​ric·​i·​ty sfə̇ˈrisətē 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being spherical : roundness

especially : the degree of perfection of the surface of a sphere

Synonyms of sphere

Noun (1)

• ball
• globe
• orb

Examples of sphere in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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 on the Web

Noun

This attempt to disappear the mayor from the public sphere extended to social media, too. —Kaya Genç, The Dial, 9 June 2026

Leo asked, in demanding that religious expression be allowed to keep its place in the public sphere. —Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

In fact, we were not involved in this one, even though Cannes was naturally chosen as a sounding board, because this is where the debate would receive strong attention — Cannes always offers an exceptional platform to those wishing to bring an issue into the public sphere. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 4 June 2026

According to News 12, the 43-year-old reality star told VUE Magazine about his plans to enter the political sphere at their spring edition party on Thursday night. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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 entry 1

Noun (2)

New Latin sphaericitas, from Late Latin sphaericus spherical + Latin -itas -ity

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing sphere

• armillary sphere
• celestial sphere
• sphere of influence

Rhymes for sphere

• beer
• bier
• cheer
• clear
• dear
• deer
• drear
• ear
• fear
• fier
• gear
• hear

Kids Definition

sphere

noun

ˈsfi(ə)r

1

a

: a globe-shaped body : ball, globe

b

: a solid geometric shape whose surface is made up of all the points that are an equal distance from the point that is the shape's center

c

: the surface of a sphere

2

: a field of influence or activity

the public sphere

sphericity

sfir-ˈis-ət-ē

noun