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.

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

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.

Other Word 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

In September, flocks of phalaropes will arrive in Argentina’s plains and gather at Laguna Mar Chiquita, the largest saline lake in the hemisphere, where they will congregate alongside pink flamingos.

From Los Angeles Times

QPR's recruitment has been intriguing rather than spectacular, with several young players brought in from clubs in the southern hemisphere.

From BBC

But leftists coming into office in the hemisphere now are hamstrung by harsh economic conditions.

From Los Angeles Times

One theory for the ineffectiveness of the Kookaburra in this country is it is not suitable to the softer pitches of the UK, as opposed to harder surfaces of the southern hemisphere.

From BBC

The Perth stadium announcer tried his best to troll the British and Irish Lions before their 54-7 victory over Western Force, by singling out the tourists who were born in the southern hemisphere.

From BBC

Related Words

• fraction