ionosphere

noun

ion·​o·​sphere ī-ˈä-nə-ˌsfir How to pronounce ionosphere (audio)
: the part of the earth's atmosphere in which ionization of atmospheric gases affects the propagation of radio waves, which extends from about 30 miles (50 kilometers) to the exosphere, and which is contiguous with the upper portion of the mesosphere and the thermosphere
also : a comparable region of charged particles surrounding another celestial body (such as Venus)
ionospheric adjective
ionospherically adverb

Examples of ionosphere 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.
The researchers suggest that these white lights arise due to a combination of heating in the ionosphere due to the surrounding aurora, as well as the chemiluminescence of some other gases in the atmosphere, possibly nitrogen dioxide. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025 However, even though these reactions were confirmed to create various ions, such O+, O2+, and CO2+ in the Martian ionosphere, there is still no evidence to say O2 is formed this way. Victoria Corless, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2025 There are other, less immediate benefits from the Android ionosphere maps as well. Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024 Red auroras hit at the ionosphere, around 150 miles high. Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ionosphere 

Word History

Etymology

ion or ion(ization) + -o- + -sphere

Note: The term was introduced by the British engineer and physicist Robert A. Watson-Watt (1892-1973), apparently first in an unpublished letter (November 8, 1926) to the secretary of the Radio Research Board, a government agency (see Nature, vol. 224, December 13, 1969, p. 1096). Watson-Watt used it in print in the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, vol. 55 (1929), p. 278.

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ionosphere was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near ionosphere

Cite this Entry

“Ionosphere.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ionosphere. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

ionosphere

noun
ion·​o·​sphere ī-ˈän-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r How to pronounce ionosphere (audio)
: the part of the earth's atmosphere beginning at an altitude of about 30 miles (50 kilometers) and extending outward that contains free electrically charged particles
ionospheric adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on ionosphere

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