1
a(1)
: the apparent surface of the heavens of which half forms the dome of the visible sky
(2)
: any of the concentric and eccentric revolving spherical transparent shells in which according to ancient astronomy stars, sun, planets, and moon are set
b
: a globe depicting such a sphere
broadly
: globe sense a
2
a
: a globular body : ball
c(1)
: a solid that is bounded by a surface consisting of all points at a given distance from a point constituting its center see Volume Formulas Table
(2)
: the bounding surface of a sphere
3
: natural, normal, or proper place
especially
: social order or rank
not in the same sphere as his moneyed friends
4
a
obsolete
: orbit
b
: an area or range over or within which someone or something acts, exists, or has influence or significance
the public sphere
sphered; sphering
ˌsfir
1
: zone, layer or region enveloping or radiating from the earth or another celestial body
ionosphere
magnetosphere
2
: collectivity : totality (as specified by the initial element)
biosphere
blogosphere
Synonyms
Examples of sphere in a Sentence
Noun
All points on a sphere are the same distance from the center.
Women at that time were confined to the domestic sphere.
They recognize that jobs in the public sphere are valuable.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 16 May 2024
Home to a little more than 50,000 residents, small downtowns with unique features and lake life feed into the county's cultural and political spheres.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 10 May 2024
CBS News, 1 Jan. 2023
And young people are innovating outside that sphere as well, including Southern-gothic singer-songwriter Ethel Cain and art-rockers Geese.
—Vulture, 6 June 2022
See all Example Sentences for sphere 
Noun
As the first state to bar trans students from participating in sports in 2020, Idaho has since expanded its limitations to trans medical care and the accommodations trans people ask for in the public sphere.
—Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 16 May 2024
Home to a little more than 50,000 residents, small downtowns with unique features and lake life feed into the county's cultural and political spheres.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 10 May 2024
Verb
The night culminated with a countdown as a glowing geodesic sphere 12 feet in diameter and weighing almost six tons descended from its lofty perch atop One Times Square.
—CBS News, 1 Jan. 2023
And young people are innovating outside that sphere as well, including Southern-gothic singer-songwriter Ethel Cain and art-rockers Geese.
—Vulture, 6 June 2022
See all Example Sentences for sphere
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sphere.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sphere
Cite this Entry
“Sphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sphere. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
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