the stratosphere

noun

1
: the upper layer of the Earth's atmosphere that begins about 7 miles (11 kilometers) above the Earth's surface and ends about 30 miles (50 kilometers) above the Earth's surface
2
: a very high position, level, or amount
Tuition at many colleges has soared into the stratosphere.
His career is clearly headed for the stratosphere.

Examples of the stratosphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its eruption sent enough salty water vapor into the stratosphere to fill around 58,000 Olympic-size swimming pools along with volcanic ash. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 30 May 2026 The original metal door and porthole windows remain, but Lin traded the gray walls for a gradient wallpaper that recalls the stratosphere. Alyssa Bird, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2026 When gas prices skyrocketed into the stratosphere, my morning commute to work via my personal vehicle went from $65 a week, all the way up to $80. Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026 In the layer of the upper atmosphere called the stratosphere, the gas creates a protective layer that shields Earthlings from harmful ultraviolet rays. Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for the stratosphere

Cite this Entry

“The stratosphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20stratosphere. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster