tropopause

noun

tro·​po·​pause ˈtrō-pə-ˌpȯz  ˈträ- 

: the region at the top of the troposphere

also : a comparable layer of a celestial body

Examples of tropopause in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This created an enormous umbrella cloud in the stratosphere and a smaller cloud slightly below it in the tropopause. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 27 June 2023

This river of wind blowing west to east flows through the tropopause, the boundary between the relatively tempestuous troposphere and the adversely calm stratosphere. —Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 5 Sep. 2023

The anvil shape visible in the cloud structures in both images marks what's known as the tropopause. —Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2016

Higher up, the tropopause meets the stratosphere. —Dave Epstein, BostonGlobe.com, 21 June 2022

Ordinarily, the tropopause acts like a ceiling, deflecting a thunderstorm's upwelling currents of warm, moist air. —Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2016

This happens because the boundary, called the tropopause, acts like a ceiling. —Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2021

Thunderstorms flatten out at the tropopause, or top of the troposphere, the lowest level of Earth’s atmosphere, since a lid of warm air suppresses continued upward development. —Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2022

When strong storms reach the tropopause, their tops flatten out, giving them an anvil-like appearance. —Paul Douglas, Star Tribune, 7 July 2021

Word History

Etymology

tropo- (in troposphere) + pause entry 1

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tropopause

noun

tro·​po·​pause ˈtrōp-ə-ˌpȯz  ˈträp- 

: the region at the top of the troposphere