hydrosphere

[ hahy-druh-sfeer ]

noun

1. the water on or surrounding the surface of the globe, including the water of the oceans and the water in the atmosphere.

hydrosphere

/ ˈhaɪdrəˌsfɪə /

noun

1. the watery part of the earth's surface, including oceans, lakes, water vapour in the atmosphere, etc

hydrosphere

/ hī′drə-sfîr′ /

1. All of the Earth's water, including surface water (water in oceans, lakes, and rivers), groundwater (water in soil and beneath the Earth's surface), snowcover, ice, and water in the atmosphere, including water vapor.
2. Compare asthenosphere

Derived Forms

• ˌhydroˈspheric, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydrosphere¹

First recorded in 1885–90; hydro- ¹ + -sphere