stratosphere

noun

strato·​sphere ˈstra-tə-ˌsfir How to pronounce stratosphere (audio)
1
: the part of the earth's atmosphere which extends from the top of the troposphere to about 30 miles (50 kilometers) above the surface and in which temperature increases gradually to about 32°F (0°C) and clouds rarely form
2
: a very high or the highest region on or as if on a graded scale
construction costs in the stratosphere
the celebrity stratosphere
stratospheric adjective
stratospherically adverb

Did you know?

The stratosphere (strato- simply means "layer" or "level") lies above the earth's weather and mostly changes very little. It contains the ozone layer, which shields us from the sun's ultraviolet radiation except where it's been harmed by manmade chemicals. The levels of the atmosphere are marked particularly by their temperatures; stratospheric temperatures rise only to around 32°—very moderate considering that temperatures in the troposphere below may descend to about -70° and those in the ionosphere above may rise to 1000°.

Examples of stratosphere 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.
As one of the members of the iconic ’90s R&B group En Vogue, Dawn Robinson at one time sat in the upper stratosphere of celebrity performers. Terry Dickerson, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2025 Thus, many schools who cannot afford to compete in the big boys’ stratosphere, will be willing to dive off the pay-for-play cliff. Donna Lopiano, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 While there were comparisons to Tom Brady going into the game in which some believed Mahomes would be in his stratosphere with a third consecutive title, the loss – for some – diminished his standing so badly that the gap between both is almost insurmountable. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 12 Feb. 2025 As Google exploded into the technology-startup stratosphere, O.K.R.s became de rigueur in Silicon Valley. Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stratosphere

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French stratosphère, probably from stratus stratus (from the zone's layer-like character, compared to stratus clouds) + -o- -o- + -sphère -sphere

Note: The term was introduced, along with troposphère, by the French meteorologist Léon Tesserenc de Bort (1855-1913). See note at troposphere.

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stratosphere was in 1908

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Cite this Entry

“Stratosphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stratosphere. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

stratosphere

noun
strato·​sphere ˈstrat-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r How to pronounce stratosphere (audio)
: an upper portion of the atmosphere above the troposphere where temperature changes little and clouds rarely form

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