1. The mass of air surrounding the Earth
   "there was great heat as the comet entered the atmosphere";
   - air
    
2. A particular environment or surrounding influence
   "there was an atmosphere of excitement";
   - ambiance, ambience
    
3. A unit of pressure: the pressure that will support a column of mercury 760 mm high at sea level and 0 degrees centigrade
   "The experiment was conducted at 1 standard atmosphere of pressure";
   - standard atmosphere, atm, standard pressure
    
4. The envelope of gases surrounding any celestial body
   "The spacecraft entered Earth's atmosphere at high speed"
    
5. The weather or climate at some place
   "the atmosphere was thick with fog";
   - atmospheric state
    
6. A distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing
   "an atmosphere of defeat pervaded the candidate's headquarters";
   - air, aura

Derived forms: atmospheres

Type of: atmospheric condition, condition, conditions, gas, part, pressure unit, quality, region, status, weather, weather condition

Part of: Earth, globe, world

Encyclopedia: Atmosphere