sphere Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a particular environment or walk of life
    arena; domain; area; orbit; field.
    • his social sphere is limited
    • it was a closed area of employment
    • he's out of my orbit
  2. noun any spherically shaped artifact
  3. noun the geographical area in which one nation is very influential
    sphere of influence.
  4. noun a particular aspect of life or activity
    sector.
    • he was helpless in an important sector of his life
  5. noun a solid figure bounded by a spherical surface (including the space it encloses)
  6. noun a three-dimensional closed surface such that every point on the surface is equidistant from the center
  7. noun the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
    firmament; vault of heaven; welkin; empyrean; celestial sphere; heavens.

WordNet

Sphere noun
Etymology
OE. spere, OF. espere, F. sphère, L. sphaera,. Gr. a sphere, a ball.
Definitions
  1. (Geom.) A body or space contained under a single surface, which in every part is equally distant from a point within called its center.
  2. Hence, any globe or globular body, especially a celestial one, as the sun, a planet, or the earth.
    Of celestial bodies, first the sun, A mighty sphere, he framed. Milton.
  3. (Astron.) (a) The apparent surface of the heavens, which is assumed to be spherical and everywhere equally distant, in which the heavenly bodies appear to have their places, and on which the various astronomical circles, as of right ascension and declination, the equator, ecliptic, etc., are conceived to be drawn; an ideal geometrical sphere, with the astronomical and geographical circles in their proper positions on it. (b) In ancient astronomy, one of the concentric and eccentric revolving spherical transparent shells in which the stars, sun, planets, and moon were supposed to be set, and by which they were carried, in such a manner as to produce their apparent motions.
  4. (Logic) The extension of a general conception, or the totality of the individuals or species to which it may be applied.
  5. Circuit or range of action, knowledge, or influence; compass; province; employment; place of existence.
    To be called into a huge sphere, and not to be seen to move in 't. Shak.
    Taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself. Hawthorne.
    Each in his hidden sphere of joy or woe Our hermit spirits dwell. Keble.
  6. Rank; order of society; social positions.
  7. An orbit, as of a star; a socket. R. Shak. Syn. -- Globe; orb; circle. See Globe.
Sphere transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Sphered ; present participle & verbal noun Sphering
Definitions
  1. To place in a sphere, or among the spheres; to insphere.
    The glorious planet Sol In noble eminence enthroned and sphered Amidst the other. Shak.
  2. To form into roundness; to make spherical, or spheral; to perfect. Tennyson.

Webster 1913