atmosphere

noun

at·mo·sphere ˈat-mə-ˌsfir

Synonyms of atmosphere next

: the gaseous envelope of a celestial body (such as a planet)

: the whole mass of air surrounding the earth

: the air of a locality

the stuffy atmosphere of the waiting room

: a surrounding influence or environment

an atmosphere of hostility

: a unit of pressure equal to the pressure of the air at sea level or approximately 14.7 pounds per square inch (101,325 pascals)

: the overall aesthetic effect of a work of art

: an intriguing or singular tone, effect, or appeal

an inn with atmosphere

atmosphered

ˈat-mə-ˌsfird

adjective

Example Sentences

Experts have noticed changes in the atmosphere. Meteoroids burn up as they pass through Earth's atmosphere. The planets have different atmospheres. a country inn with lots of atmosphere The food was good but the restaurant has no atmosphere.

Recent Examples on the Web Global average temperatures have already increased roughly 1.1 degrees Celsius since the 19th century, largely because humans keep burning fossil fuels and pumping heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. —

Brad Plumer, BostonGlobe.com, 17 May 2023 Aquarius January 20-February 18 Cultivating a cozy atmosphere at home could be your main focus now. —

Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2023 For a more locals-only atmosphere (and easier parking), head south of downtown to the stretch of beach parallel to Main Street. —

Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2023 What’s the atmosphere like? Expect a mix of Wine Country sophistication and family-friendly relaxation. —

Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 May 2023 His flawed hyperloop plan, for example, or nuking the Martian poles to create an atmosphere, or basically anything he’s promised about Twitter. —

Phil Plait, Scientific American, 15 May 2023 Based on the photos and description, Graham also suspected the object was a meteorite -- remnants of meteoroids that make it through the atmosphere and hit the ground -- but told WPVI that the college's scanning electron microscope would be able to tell if this was metal from space or Earth. —

Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 12 May 2023 That’s because the effects of CO2 in the atmosphere are long-lived. —

Marcello Rossi, Discover Magazine, 10 May 2023 Mars’s thin atmosphere deprives the wind of actual force, even at hurricane speeds. —

Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, 8 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'atmosphere.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

earlier in Latinate form atmo-sphæra, from Greek atmós "steam, vapor" (probably contracted from aetmós, of uncertain origin) + -o- -o- + Latin sphaera sphere entry 1

Note: The word atmo-sphæra was apparently introduced by the English clergyman and natural philosopher John Wilkins (1614-72) in The Discovery of a World in the Moone (London, 1638), p. 138: "Proposition 10. That there is an Atmo-sphæra, or an orbe of grosse vaporous aire, immediately encompassing the body of the Moone."

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of atmosphere was in 1638

See more words from the same year