hemisphere

[ hem-i-sfeer ]

noun

1. (often initial capital letter) half of the terrestrial globe or celestial sphere, especially one of the halves into which the earth is divided. Compare Eastern Hemisphere, Western Hemisphere, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere.
2. a map or projection representing one of these halves.
3. a half of a sphere.
4. Anatomy. either of the lateral halves of the cerebrum or cerebellum.
5. the area within which something occurs or dominates; sphere; realm.

hemisphere

/ ˌhɛmɪˈsfɛrɪk; ˈhɛmɪˌsfɪə /

noun

1. one half of a sphere
2. 1. half of the terrestrial globe, divided into northern and southern hemispheres by the equator or into eastern and western hemispheres by some meridians, usually 0° and 180°
   2. a map or projection of one of the hemispheres
3. either of the two halves of the celestial sphere that lie north or south of the celestial equator
4. anatomy short for cerebral hemisphere

hemisphere

/ hĕm′ĭ-sfîr′ /

1. One half of a sphere, formed by a plane that passes through the center of the sphere.
2. Either the northern or southern half of the Earth as divided by the equator, or the eastern or western half as divided by a meridian, especially the prime meridian.
3. One half of the celestial sphere as divided by any of various great circles, especially the celestial equator and the ecliptic.
4. See more at celestial sphere
5. See cerebral hemisphere

hemisphere

1. Any half of the Earth 's surface.

Derived Forms

• hemispheric, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hemisphere¹

1325–75; < Latin hēmisphaerium < Greek hēmisphaírion; replacing Middle English emysperie < Old French emispere < Latin

Example Sentences

"Rubio has a real sense of a need to engage economically with the Western Hemisphere in a way that we just haven't done for a number of years," he says.

From BBC

That’s because the other thing climate change is doing is unsettling the jet stream: the river of air that undulates across the Northern Hemisphere and brings rain and storms from west to east in predictable waves throughout the year.

From Slate

Winter is therefore defined in the northern hemisphere as the three coldest months - December, January and February.

From BBC

This year, astronomical winter in the northern hemisphere begins on 21 December and ends on 20 March 2025.

From BBC

How much daylight are we likely to see at solstice in the northern hemisphere?

From BBC

Related Words

• fraction