stratus

noun

stra·​tus ˈstrā-təs 

ˈstra-

plural strati ˈstrā-ˌtī 

ˈstra-

: a low cloud form extending over a large area at altitudes of usually 2000 to 7000 feet (600 to 2100 meters) see cloud illustration

Examples of stratus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Beginning Tuesday, the stratus clouds that are part of the marine layer are expected to cover the California coast from Santa Barbara to far San Francisco, the weather service said. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

Sunday will start with a few stratus clouds, with more cloud cover increasing throughout the afternoon. — Lauren Bostwick, CBS News, 21 June 2026

Low-level clouds, including stratus and stratocumulus, could block large portions of the sky, especially closer to the coast. — Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 2 Mar. 2026

Conditions should improve around daybreak for much of the valley, although fog or very low stratus may linger over areas that received heavy snowfall over the weekend. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, past participle of sternere

First Known Use

circa 1803, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stratus

• flatus
• gratis
• lattice
• rattus
• satis
• status
• apparatus
• superlattice
• beatus

Kids Definition

stratus

noun

stra·​tus ˈstrāt-əs 

ˈstrat-

plural strati ˈstrāt-ˌī 

ˈstrat-

: a cloud form extending over a large area at altitudes of usually 2000 to 7000 feet (600 to 2100 meters)