troposphere

noun

tro·​po·​sphere ˈtrō-pə-ˌsfir How to pronounce troposphere (audio) ˈträ- How to pronounce troposphere (audio)
: the lowest densest part of the earth's atmosphere in which most weather changes occur and temperature generally decreases rapidly with altitude and which extends from the earth's surface to the bottom of the stratosphere at about 7 miles (11 kilometers) high
tropospheric
ˌtrō-pə-ˈsfir-ik How to pronounce troposphere (audio)
ˌträ-, 
-ˈsfer-
adjective

Examples of troposphere 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.
Our atmosphere consists of many layers of moving air; the troposphere is where our weather happens and above it is the stratosphere. — Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 22 Nov. 2025 That wobbling can allow Arctic air from the troposphere — or contained within the polar jet stream — to move elsewhere. — Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 6 Feb. 2026 The fastest winds of the jet stream occur just below the top of the troposphere, which is the lowest level of the atmosphere and ends about seven miles above Earth’s surface. — Mathew Barlow, Washington Post, 27 Jan. 2026 There is currently a 20% chance of a weather violation on Wednesday due to potential cumulus clouds in the lower troposphere. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for troposphere

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French troposphère, from tropo- tropo- (in sense "change," as the troposphere is where weather changes take place) + -sphère -sphere

Note: The term was introduced, along with stratosphère stratosphere, by the French meteorologist Léon Tesserenc de Bort (1855-1913). Tesserenc de Bort apparently first used them in a paper read to a German meteorological society in Hamburg on September 30, 1908 ("La division de l'atmosphère en troposphère et stratosphère d'après les résultats de l'exploration de la haute atmosphère"). The paper was not subsequently published but is briefly summarized by C. Kassner in "Bericht über die elfte allgemeine Versammlung und Feier des 25-jährigen Bestehens der Deutschen Meteorologischen Gesellschaft zu Hamburg am 28. bis 30. September 1908," Meteorologische Zeitschrift, Band 26, Heft 1 (Januar, 1909), p. 6.

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of troposphere was in 1908

Rhymes for troposphere

See All Rhymes for troposphere

Browse Nearby Words

tropophyte
troposphere
tropospheric
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Troposphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/troposphere. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

troposphere

noun
tro·​po·​sphere ˈtrōp-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r How to pronounce troposphere (audio) ˈträp- How to pronounce troposphere (audio)
: the portion of the atmosphere which extends from the earth's surface to the bottom of the stratosphere and in which temperature generally decreases rapidly with altitude
tropospheric
ˌtrōp-ə-ˈsfi(ə)r-ik How to pronounce troposphere (audio)
ˌträp-, 
-ˈsfer-
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on troposphere

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about troposphere

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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