biosphere

[ bahy-uh-sfeer ]

noun

1. the part of the earth's crust, waters, and atmosphere that supports life.
2. the ecosystem comprising the entire earth and the living organisms that inhabit it.

biosphere

/ ˈbaɪəˌsfɪə /

noun

1. the part of the earth's surface and atmosphere inhabited by living things

biosphere

/ bī′ə-sfîr′ /

1. The parts of the land, sea, and atmosphere in which organisms are able to live. The biosphere is an irregularly shaped, relatively thin zone in which life is concentrated on or near the Earth's surface and throughout its waters.
2. All the Earth's ecosystems considered as a single, self-sustaining unit.

biosphere

1. The thin outer shell of the Earth and the inner layers of its atmosphere ; the place where all living systems are found.

Other Words From

• bi·o·spher·ic [bahy-, uh, -, sfer, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of biosphere¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; from German Biosphäre; bio-, -sphere

Synonym Study

See ecosystem ( def ).

Example Sentences

"We must protect our biosphere - it is not a zero-sum game," he added, pointing to a recent report by the Office for National Statistics that valued UK ecosystems at £1.8tn.

From BBC

The apparent attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump sent shock waves through the geo-political biosphere, as U.S. leaders chimed in to condemn the attack.

From Salon

In contrast, land habitats make up less than 1 percent of the planet’s biosphere because the band of life is so narrow, making its volume quite small.

From New York Times

They occur when small perturbations trigger a large, non-linear response in the system and shift the climate to a different future state, usually with dramatic consequences for the biosphere.

From Science Daily

The findings are especially important in the Santa Barbara Channel, which is an internationally recognized biosphere reserve, a designated Whale Heritage Area, and one of the most important whale migration routes in the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cave
• dwelling
• environment
• haven
• nest
• surroundings
• terrain
• territory