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

For England, a full house of victories over rugby's big three southern hemisphere sides was always a big ask.

From BBC

And all the time, the Six Nations, renewed rivalries with the northern hemisphere's best and fears England are just not as good as we thought, lurk like Etzebeth around a breakdown.

From BBC

The southern hemisphere's big three - New Zealand, Australia and South Africa - have now won at Allianz Stadium on successive weekends.

From BBC

On this trip to the northern hemisphere, the Boks have been granting interviews, signing shirts and coaching kids in a concerted PR push.

From BBC

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

From BBC

Related Words

• fraction