stratosphere

[strat-uh-sfeer]

noun

1. the region of the upper atmosphere extending upward from the tropopause to about 30 miles (50 km) above the earth, characterized by little vertical change in temperature.

2. (formerly) all of the earth's atmosphere lying outside the troposphere.

3. any great height or degree, as the highest point of a graded scale.

stratosphere

/ ˌstrætəˈsfɛrɪk, ˈstrætəˌsfɪə /

noun

1. the atmospheric layer lying between the troposphere and the mesosphere, in which temperature generally increases with height

stratosphere

1. The region of the Earth's atmosphere extending from the tropopause to about 50 km (31 mi) above the Earth's surface. The stratosphere is characterized by the presence of ozone gas (in the ozone layer) and by temperatures which rise slightly with altitude, due to the absorption of ultraviolet radiation.

2. See also exosphere mesosphere thermosphere troposphere See illustration at atmosphere

stratosphere

1. The region of the atmosphere of the Earth above the troposphere. The stratosphere begins at an altitude of seven to ten miles and extends to approximately thirty miles.

Other Word Forms

• stratospheric adjective
• stratospherical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stratosphere¹

First recorded in 1905–10; strat(um) + -o- + sphere

Example Sentences

Jordan, whose deal with Nike sent the brand into a new stratosphere, credited Raveling for making it happen.

From Los Angeles Times

What’s it like to fall to Earth from 24 miles up in the stratosphere?

From Los Angeles Times

Nerves would have been understandable as he once again stared across at Carlos Alcaraz, with whom his enthralling rivalry entered the stratosphere following their epic French Open final.

From BBC

After paying his dues in small roles on British television for years, Bailey’s star has officially crashed through the mainstream stratosphere, thanks not only to his rugged good looks but also his natural, effervescent charisma.

From Salon

Knowing that is in its own stratosphere, and rightly so, it gave me a lot of peace and it gave me permission to find my own version.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• atmosphere 
• breeze 
• wind