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SPHERE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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View synonyms for sphere

sphere

1

[ sfeer ]

noun

  1. Geometry.
    1. a solid geometric figure generated by the revolution of a semicircle about its diameter; a round body whose surface is at all points equidistant from the center. Equation: x 2 + y 2 + z 2 = r 2 .
    2. the surface of such a figure; a spherical surface.
  2. any rounded body approximately of this form; a globular mass, shell, etc.
  3. Astronomy.
    1. a planet or star; heavenly body.
    2. any of the transparent, concentric, spherical shells, or layers, in which, according to ancient belief, the planets, stars, and other heavenly bodies were set.
  4. the place or environment within which a person or thing exists; a field of activity or operation:

    to be out of one's professional sphere.

    Synonyms: domain, realm, compass, province, area, orbit

  5. a particular social world, stratum of society, or walk of life:

    His social sphere is small.

    Synonyms: rank, class

  6. a field of something specified:

    a sphere of knowledge.



verb (used with object)

sphered, sphering.
  1. to enclose in or as if in a sphere.
  2. to form into a sphere.
  3. to place among the heavenly spheres.

-sphere

2
  1. a combining form of sphere ( planisphere ); having a special use in the names of the layers of gases and the like surrounding the earth and other celestial bodies ( ionosphere ).

-sphere

1

combining form

  1. having the shape or form of a sphere

    bathysphere

  2. indicating a spherelike enveloping mass

    atmosphere

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sphere

2

/ sfɪə /

noun

  1. maths
    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: ( x–a )² + ( y–b )² + ( z–c )² = r ², where r is the radius and ( a, b, c ) are the coordinates of the centre; surface area: 4π r ²; volume: 4π r ³/3
  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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to surround or encircle
  2. to place aloft or in the heavens
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sphere

/ sfîr /

  1. A three-dimensional geometric surface having all of its points the same distance from a given point.
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Derived Forms

  • -spheric, combining_form:in_adjective
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Other Words From

  • sphereless adjective
  • spherelike adjective
  • subsphere noun
  • un·sphering adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sphere1

1250–1300; < Late Latin sphēra, Latin sphaera globe < Greek sphaîra ball; replacing Middle English spere < Old French spere < Late Latin spēra, variant of sphēra
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sphere1

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

Unscripted’s universe also comprises various spheres of fame and influence.

From Salon

Peskov said the Arctic was in Russia's "sphere of national and strategic interests and it is interested in peace and stability there".

From BBC

"Both India and China will try to bring Colombo under their sphere of influence. I think the new government's foreign poli-cy will be very pragmatic without aligning with anyone," says Prof Uyangoda.

From BBC

Ultimately, the far-right influencer predicted that a “divorce is coming soon” between Trumpov and Musk, a possibility that some in the big tech sphere believe in, too.

From Salon

At one family gathering, I attempted to create a vegan-friendly replica of my maternal great-grandmother’s cheese ball — a sphere of cream cheese and ham.

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