rhizoverbBeta
DictionarystratosphereAtmospheric layer
noun

stratosphere

STRAT-uh-sfeer/ˈstræt̮əˌsfɪr/

The atmospheric layer directly above the troposphere.

The diagram places the stratosphere above the cloudy troposphere.

Educational vertical cutaway of atmosphere above curved Earth horizon: low clouds in lower band labelled 'troposphere'; clear upper air band labelled 'stratosphere'; blue sky fading upward; two correct brief functional labels only, no altitudes or aircraft.
Etymology
stratoLatina spreading out
+sphereGreekglobe; ball

A ‘spreading out’ combined with ‘globe’ gives the image of a ‘sphere of layers.’ The name identifies the atmospheric region above the troposphere, where temperature stays steady or rises with altitude.

In context

TEDx Talks0:02
This is a stratosphere. It's the second layer of our atmosphere, and within it we have our ozone layer.
The problem with rocket emissions | Govind Nadathur | TEDxScarsdaleHighSchool

More examples

  • Most atmospheric ozone is concentrated in the stratosphere.
  • Scientists measure temperatures at different heights in the stratosphere.
  • Housing prices climb into the stratosphere.

Forms

stratosphere · stratospheres

stratospheric adjective — Relating to or occurring in the stratosphere.