English Dictionary

Definition of “sphere”

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sphere (sfɪəPronunciation for sphere) 

Definitions

noun

  1. mathematics 
    1. a three-dimensional closed surface such that every point on the surface is equidistant from a given point, the centre
    2. the solid figure bounded by this surface or the space enclosed by it. Equation: (the solid figure bounded by this surface or the space enclosed by it. Equation: (x–a )² + (the solid figure bounded by this surface or the space enclosed by it. Equation: ()² + (y–b )² + (the solid figure bounded by this surface or the space enclosed by it. Equation: ()² + ()² + (z–c )² = the solid figure bounded by this surface or the space enclosed by it. Equation: ()² + ()² + ()² = r ², where the solid figure bounded by this surface or the space enclosed by it. Equation: ()² + ()² + ()² = ², where r  is the radius and (the solid figure bounded by this surface or the space enclosed by it. Equation: ()² + ()² + ()² = ², where is the radius and (a, b, c ) are the coordinates of the centre; surface area: 4πthe solid figure bounded by this surface or the space enclosed by it. Equation: ()² + ()² + ()² = ², where is the radius and () are the coordinates of the centre; surface area: 4πr ²; volume: 4πthe solid figure bounded by this surface or the space enclosed by it. Equation: ()² + ()² + ()² = ², where is the radius and () are the coordinates of the centre; surface area: 4π²; volume: 4πr³/3
  2. any object having approximately this shape; globe
  3. the night sky considered as a vaulted roof; firmament
  4. any heavenly object such as a planet, natural satellite, or star
  5. (in the Ptolemaic or Copernican systems of astronomy) one of a series of revolving hollow globes, arranged concentrically, on whose transparent surfaces the sun (or in the Copernican system the earth), the moon, the planets, and fixed stars were thought to be set, revolving around the earth (or in the Copernican system the sun)
  6. particular field of activity; environment  ⇒ that's out of my sphere 
  7. a social class or stratum of society

verb (tr)

mainly poetic 
  1. to surround or encircle
  2. to place aloft or in the heavens

Word Origin

C14: from Late Latin sphēra,  from Latin sphaera  globe, from Greek sphaira

-sphere

Definitions

combining form in countable noun

  1. having the shape or form of a sphere  ⇒ bathysphere 
  2. indicating a spherelike enveloping mass  ⇒ atmosphere 

Alternative Forms

-spheric combining form in adjective

Usage examples

  • There, resting on a plain shatterwood stand at the level of Danlo's eyes, was a black crystal sphere.
    Zindell, David, The Broken God (1993)
  • It is like the surface of an ordinary sphere , except that everything is beefed up by one dimension.
    New Scientist (1999)
  • We had dropped out of what was suddenly being called "the Anglo sphere.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • In the sporting sphere the great majority of English discount Scotland completely.
    Glasgow Herald (2002)
  • The implicit assumption seems to be that `normal' children do not need extra help in this sphere.
    Paul Martin, MAKING HAPPY PEOPLE (2005)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'S'

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