Stratosphere Meaning
/strˈætəˌsfɪr/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe region of the uppermost atmosphere where the temperature increases along with the altitude due to the absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation by ozone.
nounCollectively, those layers of the Earth’s crust which primarily comprise stratified deposits.
Sentence Examples
Ozone in the stratosphere absorbs some of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.
The ozone in the stratosphere absorbs ultraviolet radiation.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ozone layer is located in the ____, about 20 kilometers above the Earth.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The weather balloon traveled high into the ____ to gather data about the air quality and temperature.
Word Origin & History
From French stratosphère, a word coined by its discoverer, meteorologist Léon Teisserenc de Bort. From strato- + -sphere.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The mesosphere may be described as the earth's intermediate or middle atmosphere, which separates the thermosphere above from the ozonosphere (or stratosphere) below, both of which are responsible for absorption of most of the ultraviolet part of the solar radiation and preventing it from reaching the earth's surface."
— 2008, Kshudiram Saha, The Earth's Atmosphere: Its Physics and Dynamics, Springer Science & Business Media, →ISBN, page 102:
"The technique would involve spraying large amounts of sulfate particles into the Earth’s lower stratosphere at altitudes as high as 12 miles. The scientists propose delivering the sulfates with specially designed high-altitude aircraft, balloons or large naval-style guns."
— 2018 November 23, Matthew Robinson, “Dimming the sun: The answer to global warming?”, in CNN:
"Even if you’ve run an ironclad household budget and managed your retirement accounts on your own, you’re about to be at a level of wealth in a different stratosphere. It’s time to hire professionals."
— 2025 March 19, Jessica Roy, “She hit the $1.2 billion jackpot. But the California winner must do this to make it last a lifetime”, in San Francisco Chronicle:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ozone layer is located in the ____, about 20 kilometers above the Earth.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The weather balloon traveled high into the ____ to gather data about the air quality and temperature.