biosphere

noun

bio·​sphere ˈbī-ə-ˌsfir 

1

: the part of the world in which life can exist

2

: living organisms together with their environment

biospheric

ˌbī-ə-ˈsfir-ik 

-ˈsfer-

-ˈsfe-rik

adjective

Did you know?

The lithosphere is the solid surface of the earth (lith- meaning "rock"); the hydrosphere is the earth's water (hydro- means "water"), including the clouds and water vapor in the air; and the atmosphere is the earth's air (atmos- meaning "vapor"). The term biosphere can include all of these, along with the 10 million species of living things they contain. The biosphere recycles its air, water, organisms, and minerals constantly to maintain an amazingly balanced state; human beings should probably do their best to imitate it. Though the word has a new sound to it, it was first used over a hundred years ago.

Examples of biosphere in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An all-star season was first seriously considered back in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, when the show set up a biosphere at a countryside property for bakers to safely quarantine, live, and compete in. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

The stability of societies and economies depends on a healthy earth system, including, for example, stable climate conditions, secure water availability, and a resilient biosphere providing ecosystem service every citizen depends on. —Johan Rockström, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024

Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake In 1996, UNESCO recognized the Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve as a biosphere reserve. —Selina Denman, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Nov. 2024

Alexandra Pontefract Origins of life and evolution of the biosphere. —Conor Feehly, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Biosphäre, from bio- bio- + -sphäre -sphere

Note: Biosphäre was introduced by the Austrian geologist Eduard Suess (1831-1914) in Die Entstehung der Alpen (Vienna, 1875), p. 159.

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

biosphere

noun

bio·​sphere ˈbī-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r 

: the part of the world in which life can exist

Medical Definition

biosphere

noun

bio·​sphere ˈbī-ə-ˌsfi(ə)r 

1

: the part of the world in which life can exist

2

: living beings together with their environment