troposphere
TROH-puh-sfeer
/ˈtroʊpəsfɪər/
The lowest region of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface up to about 6 to 20 kilometers, containing nearly all weather and air mass.
Defined by active vertical mixing, rapid temperature drop with height, and continuous weather changes.
The story behind the word. Coined in 1902 by Léon Teisserenc de Bort alongside 'stratosphere'. He derived it from Greek 'tropos' (turning or changing) to reflect the constantly turning, turbulent nature of weather in this bottom atmospheric shell.
Word relationships
- lower atmosphere: 'Lower atmosphere' is an informal description for the weather layer near Earth's surface.
- stratosphere: The stratosphere sits immediately above the troposphere and experiences minimal turbulence.
Commonly confused with
- stratosphere: Troposphere is where humans live and weather turns; stratosphere sits higher and remains calm.
Word family
- tropospheric (adjective): Relating to or occurring within the troposphere.
Collocations
- lower troposphere
- troposphere boundary
- troposphere temperature
- within the troposphere
Example sentences
- "The troposphere contains roughly eighty percent of the atmosphere's mass and almost all of its water vapor." Meteorology
- "Thermal convection within the troposphere helps lift surface emissions into higher air currents." Environmental Monitoring
Memory hook
Troposphere starts with 'Trop-' like tropical weather—it's the sphere where all weather turns and changes. Troposphere = Turning, turbulent weather zone.
When not to use
Do not confuse with outer space or higher calm layers like the stratosphere.
Fun facts
- The troposphere is thicker at the warm equator (up to 20 km) and thinnest at the cold poles (about 7 km).
Related words
Explore more words
meteorology, microburst, terrestrial, precipitation, trophic, biosphere
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