atmosphere

The word “atmosphere” means the layer of gases surrounding a planet, especially Earth. In plain terms, either the air around a planet, or the overall feeling or vibe of a place.

“Atmosphere” is pronounced AT-muhs-feer (/ˈætməsˌfɪɹ/ in IPA).

Here is “atmosphere” used in a sentence: “The rocket left Earth's atmosphere within minutes.”

“Atmosphere” is a noun.

The word “atmosphere” comes from New Latin. From French atmosphère, from New Latin atmosphaera, from Greek atmos ("vapor") + sphaira ("sphere").

“Atmosphere” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Atmosphere” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the layer of gases surrounding a planet, especially Earth.

Earth's atmosphere has five main layers. From the ground up they are the troposphere, where weather happens; the stratosphere, holding the ozone layer; the mesosphere; the thermosphere, where auroras occur; and the exosphere, which fades into space. Each layer differs in temperature, density, and the gases it contains.

Earth's atmosphere is mostly nitrogen, about 78 percent, and oxygen, about 21 percent. The remaining one percent includes argon, carbon dioxide, water vapour, and traces of other gases. This mixture supplies the oxygen we breathe, shields the surface from harmful radiation, and helps keep the planet warm enough for life.

Yes. Besides the gases around a planet, atmosphere commonly means the mood or feeling of a place, as in a restaurant with a cosy atmosphere or a tense atmosphere in a room. Both senses share the idea of something that surrounds and pervades. Context makes clear whether you mean air or ambiance.

Earth's atmosphere makes life possible. It provides the oxygen we breathe and the carbon dioxide plants need, filters dangerous ultraviolet radiation, and traps enough heat to keep temperatures stable. It also burns up most meteors before they reach the ground and drives the weather and water cycles that sustain the planet.