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

Example Sentences

“People have talked about water worlds and thick hydrosphere planets off and on for 20 years,” says Jonathan Fortney, an astronomer at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who was not involved in the work.

From Science Magazine

First, the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere and biosphere are linked.

From Scientific American

Audience members watch as Sagan encounters eccentric characters representing the atmosphere and the hydrosphere, as well as a man trying to find a way to escape the planet through space travel.

From New York Times

“They don’t take it that we have a problem with the hydrosphere. They don’t really connect what happens on the Mont Blanc glacier and what happens in the Mediterranean Sea.”

From Science Magazine

Their curriculum this semester focuses on the hydrosphere, but she has moderated her message for students shell shocked by their narrow escape.

From Washington Post