WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
at•mos•phere /ˈætməsˌfɪr/USA pronunciation n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Physics[countable]
- [usually singular; usually: the + ~] the gases surrounding the earth;
the air. - the gases surrounding a planet, esp. the earth;
air.
- [usually singular; usually: the + ~] the gases surrounding the earth;
- Physics[countable] (in science) a unit of pressure, equal to the normal pressure of the air at sea level, about 14.7 pounds per square inch.
- a surrounding mood that seems to fill a place, event, or situation:[countable]an atmosphere of tension filled the classroom.
- a distinctive quality;
character:[uncountable]The room has a cozy atmosphere.
at•mos•pher•ic
(at′məs fer′ik, -fēr′-),USA pronunciation adj.
at′mos•pher′i•cal•ly, adv.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Meteorologypertaining to, existing in, or consisting of the atmosphere:atmospheric vapors.
- Meteorologycaused by, produced by, or operated on by the atmosphere:atmospheric storms.
- resembling or suggestive of the atmosphere;
having muted tones and softened or indistinct outlines;
hazy:atmospheric effects. - having or producing an emotional atmosphere:atmospheric quality; atmospheric lighting.Also, at′mos•pher′i•cal.
- atmosphere + -ic 1775–85
at•mos•phere
(at′məs fēr′),USA pronunciation n., v., -phered, -pher•ing.
n.
v.t.
at′mos•phere′less, adj.
n.
- Physicsthe gaseous envelope surrounding the earth;
the air. - this medium at a given place.
- Astronomythe gaseous envelope surrounding a heavenly body.
- Chemistryany gaseous envelope or medium.
- Physicsa conventional unit of pressure, the normal pressure of the air at sea level, about 14.7 pounds per square inch (101.3 kilopascals), equal to the pressure exerted by a column of mercury 29.92 in. (760 mm) high. Abbr.: atm.
- a surrounding or pervading mood, environment, or influence:an atmosphere of impending war; a very tense atmosphere.
- the dominant mood or emotional tone of a work of art, as of a play or novel:the chilly atmosphere of a ghost story.
- a distinctive quality, as of a place;
character:The old part of town has lots of atmosphere.
v.t.
- to give an atmosphere to:The author had cleverly atmosphered the novel for added chills.
- Neo-Latin atmosphaera. See atmo-, -sphere
- 1630–40
'atmospheric conditions' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
aeroscepsy
- biometeorology
- clutter
- element
- full-power
- meteorology
- microclimate
- pilot chart
- sounding
- spherics
- weather
- weatherglass
- zero-zero