Definition of atmosphere Atmosphere

/æˈtmʌsfɪˌɹ/ - [atmusfir] - at•mos•phere

We found 23 definitions of atmosphere from 9 different sources.

What does atmosphere mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: atmospheres
atmosphere - the envelope of gases surrounding any celestial body
		gas the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity; relatively great expansion and contraction with changes in pressure and temperature; the ability to diffuse readily; and the spontaneous tendency to become distributed uniformly throughout any container
		exosphere the outermost atmospheric layer
		mesosphere the atmospheric layer between the stratosphere and the thermosphere
		sky the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
		stratosphere the atmospheric layer between the troposphere and the mesosphere
		thermosphere the atmospheric layer between the mesosphere and the exosphere
atmosphere - the mass of air surrounding the Earth; "there was great heat as the comet entered the atmosphere"; "it was exposed to the air"
		air
		region, part a knowledge domain that you are interested in or are communicating about; "it was a limited realm of discourse"; "here we enter the region of opinion"; "the realm of the occult"
		globe, earth, world a sphere on which a map (especially of the earth) is represented
		airspace the atmosphere above a nation that is deemed to be under its jurisdiction; "the plane was refused permission to enter Chinese airspace"
		air space, airspace the atmosphere above a nation that is deemed to be under its jurisdiction; "the plane was refused permission to enter Chinese airspace"
atmosphere - the weather or climate at some place; "the atmosphere was thick with fog"
		atmospheric state
		atmospheric condition, weather, weather condition, conditions the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation; "they were hoping for good weather"; "every day we have weather conditions and yesterday was no exception"; "the conditions were too rainy for playing in the snow"
		air mass a large body of air with uniform characteristics horizontally
		anticyclone (meteorology) winds spiraling outward from a high pressure center; circling clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern
		cyclone a violent rotating windstorm
atmosphere - a particular environment or surrounding influence; "there was an atmosphere of excitement"
		ambiance, ambience
		status, condition the relative position or standing of things or especially persons in a society; "he had the status of a minor"; "the novel attained the status of a classic"; "atheists do not enjoy a favorable position in American life"
		genius loci the guardian spirit of a place
		glumness, gloom, gloominess a feeling of melancholy apprehension
		miasm, miasma unhealthy vapors rising from the ground or other sources; "the miasma of the marshes"; "a miasma of cigar smoke"
atmosphere - a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing; "an air of mystery"; "the house had a neglected air"; "an atmosphere of defeat pervaded the candidate's headquarters"; "the place had an aura of romance"
		air, aura
		quality an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone; "the quality of mercy is not strained"--Shakespeare
		mystique an aura of heightened value or interest or meaning surrounding a person or thing
		note a characteristic emotional quality; "it ended on a sour note"; "there was a note of gaiety in her manner"; "he detected a note of sarcasm"

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Wiktionary

atmosphere (Noun)
The gases surrounding the Earth or any astronomical body.
atmosphere (Noun)
The air in a particular place.
atmosphere (Noun)
The mood or feeling in a situation.
atmosphere (Noun)
A unit of measurement for pressure.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

atmosphere (n.)
The whole mass of aeriform fluid surrounding the earth; -- applied also to the gaseous envelope of any celestial orb, or other body; as, the atmosphere of Mars.
atmosphere (n.)
Any gaseous envelope or medium.
atmosphere (n.)
A supposed medium around various bodies; as, electrical atmosphere, a medium formerly supposed to surround electrical bodies.
atmosphere (n.)
The pressure or weight of the air at the sea level, on a unit of surface, or about 14.7 Ibs. to the sq. inch.
atmosphere (n.)
Any surrounding or pervading influence or condition.
atmosphere (n.)
The portion of air in any locality, or affected by a special physical or sanitary condition; as, the atmosphere of the room; a moist or noxious atmosphere.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

atmosphere
The gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth in a several kilometers-thick layer.
atmosphere
Gaseous envelope of a celestial body.
atmosphere
A store's physical characteristics that are used to develop an image and draw customers.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

atmosphere
at′mo-sfēr, n. the gaseous envelope that surrounds the earth or any of the heavenly bodies: any gaseous medium: a conventional unit of atmospheric pressure: (fig.) any surrounding influence.—adjs. Atmospher′ic, -al, of or depending on the atmosphere.—adv. Atmospher′ically.—Atmospheric engine, a variety of steam-engine in which the steam is admitted only to the under side of the piston; Atmospheric hammer, a hammer driven by means of compressed air; Atmospheric railway, a railway where the motive-power is derived from the pressure of the atmosphere acting on a piston working in an iron tube of uniform bore. [Gr. atmos, air, sphaira, a sphere.]

Electrical DictionaryThe Standard Electrical Dictionary 💡

atmosphere
(a) A term applied to the atmospheric pressure as a practical unit of pressure equal to 15 lbs. to the square inch as generally taken. It is really about 14.7 lbs. per square inch, or 1,033 grams per square centimeter.
(b) Air, q. v.

Sailor's Word-BookThe Sailor's Word-Book ⛵

atmosphere
The ambient air, or thin elastic fluid which surrounds the globe, and gradually diminishing in gravity rises to an unknown height, yet by gravitation partakes of all its motions.

Wikipedia

Earth's atmosphere is the layer of gases around the planet Earth. The atmosphere is held in place by Earth's gravity. It is made up of nitrogen (78.1%) and oxygen (20.9%), with small amounts of argon (0.9%), carbon dioxide (~ 0.035%), water vapor, and other gases. The atmosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing (taking) ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and balancing the temperature on earth between day and night.

Solid particulates, including ash, dust, volcanic ash, etc. are small part of atmosphere. They are important for the formation of clouds and fog.

The atmosphere does not end at a specific place. It just gets thinner when you go higher. There is no clear line between the atmosphere and outer space. 75% of the atmosphere is within 11 km of the Earth's surface.

Temperature and the atmospheric layers.

The boundaries between these areas are named the tropopause, stratopause and mesopause.

The average temperature of the atmosphere at the surface of earth is 14 °C.

Pressure.

The atmosphere has pressure. This is because, even though air is a gas, it has weight. The average pressure of the atmosphere at sea level is about 101.4 kilopascals (about 14.7 pounds per square inch).

Density and mass.

The density of air at sea level is about 1.2 kilograms per cubic meter. This density becomes less at higher altitudes at the same rate that pressure becomes less. The total mass of the atmosphere is about 5.1 × 1018 kg, which is only a very small part of the Earth's total mass.