hemisphere

noun hemi·sphere \ˈhe-mə-ˌsfir\

: a half of the Earth

: half of a sphere : half of a round object

: either of the two halves of the brain

Full Definition of HEMISPHERE

a : a half of the celestial sphere as divided into two halves by the horizon, the celestial equator, or the ecliptic

b : half of a spherical or roughly spherical body (as a planet); specifically : the northern or southern half of the earth as divided by the equator or the eastern or western half as divided by a meridian

c : the inhabitants of a terrestrial hemisphere

: realm, province

: one of two half spheres formed by a plane through the sphere's center

: a map or projection of a celestial or terrestrial hemisphere

: cerebral hemisphere

— hemi·spher·ic \ˌhe-mə-ˈsfir-ik, -ˈsfer-\ or hemi·spher·i·cal \-ˈsfir-i-kəl, -ˈsfer-\ adjective

See hemisphere defined for English-language learners

See hemisphere defined for kids

Origin of HEMISPHERE

Middle English hemispere, from Latin hemisphaerium, from Greek hēmisphairion, from hēmi- + sphairion, diminutive of sphaira sphere

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith

Rhymes with HEMISPHERE

Agadir, atmosphere, auctioneer, balladeer, bandolier, bathysphere, bayadere, Bedfordshire, Bedivere, belvedere, bend one's ear, biosphere, bombardier, boutonniere, brigadier, buccaneer, budgeteer, Cambridgeshire, cameleer, cannoneer, canyoneer, cassimere, cavalier, chandelier, chanticleer, chevalier, chiffonier, chocolatier, chromosphere, commandeer, corsetiere, crystal clear, cuirassier, Derbyshire, diapir, disappear, domineer, ecosphere, Elzevir, engineer, exosphere, fallow deer, fictioneer, financier, fiscal year, fourdrinier, fusilier, gadgeteer, gasolier, gazetteer, ginger beer, Gloucestershire, gondolier, grenadier, Guinevere, Hertfordshire, Holy Year, inner ear, insincere, interfere, in the clear, jardiniere, junketeer, kerseymere, landing gear, lavaliere, marketeer, Meyerbeer, middle ear, missileer, mountaineer, muleteer, musketeer, mutineer, on one's ear, outer ear, overhear, overseer, oversteer, Oxfordshire, pamphleteer, persevere, photosphere, pioneer, pistoleer, privateer, profiteer, puppeteer, racketeer, rocketeer, running gear, scrutineer, sloganeer, sonneteer, souvenir, Staffordshire, steering gear, stratosphere, summiteer, swimmer's ear, thermosphere, troposphere, Tyne and Wear, understeer, vintage year, Vladimir, volunteer, Warwickshire, Windermere, yesteryear

HEMISPHERIC Defined for Kids

hemisphere

noun hemi·sphere \ˈhe-mə-ˌsfir\

Definition of HEMISPHERE for Kids

: one of the halves of the earth as divided by the equator or by a meridian

: a half of a sphere

: either the left or the right half of the cerebrum

— hemi·spher·ic \ˌhem-ə-ˈsfir-ik, -ˈsfer-\ or hemi·spher·i·cal \-ˈsfir-i-kəl, -ˈsfer-\ adjective

Medical Dictionary

hemisphere

noun hemi·sphere \-ˌsfi(ə)r\

Medical Definition of HEMISPHERE

: half of a spherical structure or organ: as a : cerebral hemisphere b : either of the two lobes of the cerebellum of which one projects laterally and posteriorly from each side of the vermis