spheroid

noun

spher·​oid ˈsfir-ˌȯid How to pronounce spheroid (audio) ˈsfer- How to pronounce spheroid (audio)
: a figure resembling a sphere
also : an object of approximately spherical shape
spheroidal adjective
or less commonly spheroid
spheroidally adverb

Examples of spheroid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The disk’s material will most likely fall onto the embryonic moon from the radial (in-out) direction, sculpting the satellite into an egg or football shape—what’s called a prolate spheroid—with the long axis pointing toward the parent body. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2024 In general the studies kept the airway spheroids embedded and immobilized in a protein-rich gel called Matrigel. Philip Ball, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2023 But tiny glass spheroids riddle the lunar regolith—the rock chips and other loose material covering the lunar surface. Rahul Rao, Popular Science, 9 Nov. 2023 With such a resume, H. erectus may have possessed the know-how to fashion a spheroid. Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 18 Sep. 2023 See all Example Sentences for spheroid 

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spheroid was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near spheroid

Cite this Entry

“Spheroid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spheroid. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

spheroid

noun
spher·​oid ˈsfi(ə)r-ˌȯid How to pronounce spheroid (audio)
ˈsfe(ə)r-
: a figure resembling a flattened sphere

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