hemisphere

IPA/ˈhemɪsfɪə(r)/
KK[hˈɛmɪsfˌɪr]IPA/ˈhemɪsfɪr/

hemisphere — noun

  • hemispheresingular
  • hemispheresplural

1. either of the two large parts the Earth is divided into, such as the area north

1.nounB2
Definition

either of the two large parts the Earth is divided into, such as the area north or south of the equator

Example

Most of Australia lies in the Southern Hemisphere.

collocation: Southern Hemisphere

July brings winter weather to countries in the southern hemisphere.

Common collocations
  • Northern Hemisphere
  • Southern Hemisphere
  • Western Hemisphere
  • Eastern Hemisphere
  • in the northern hemisphere
Synonyms
Antonyms

Usage Note

Often appears in the set phrases 'Northern Hemisphere' and 'Southern Hemisphere'. It can also describe east-west divisions in geography.

Common Mistakes

Brazil is in the south hemisphere.
Brazil is in the Southern Hemisphere.
this phrase normally uses the capitalized form 'Southern Hemisphere'.

2. either the left or right side of the brain, with each side responsible for diffe

2.nounC1
Definition

either the left or right side of the brain, with each side responsible for different kinds of activity

Example

The stroke damaged the left hemisphere of Liang's brain.

left hemisphere

Doctors found unusual activity in one hemisphere during the scan.

Common collocations
  • left hemisphere
  • right hemisphere
  • brain hemisphere
  • damage a hemisphere
  • activity in one hemisphere
Synonyms
Antonyms

Usage Note

Most often used with 'left' or 'right'. This sense is medical or scientific, unlike Sense 1, which refers to the Earth.

Common Mistakes

The injury hurt the left side of his body hemisphere.
The injury affected the left hemisphere of his brain.
'hemisphere' in this sense refers to the brain, not the body.

3. one of the two equal solid parts made when a round shape is cut through its cent

3.nounC1
Definition

one of the two equal solid parts made when a round shape is cut through its centre

Example

The architect placed a glass hemisphere over the museum entrance.

shape noun: glass hemisphere

The class made a clay hemisphere by slicing a ball in half.

Common collocations
  • glass hemisphere
  • metal hemisphere
  • make a hemisphere
  • join two hemispheres
  • hemisphere shape
Synonyms
  • half-sphere

    descriptive geometry phrase

  • dome

    similar in shape, but often used for buildings rather than exact geometry

Antonyms
  • sphere

    the full round solid shape

Usage Note

Used in geometry, design, and science for a half-sphere shape. Unlike Sense 1, it refers to any round solid object, not specifically the Earth.

Common Mistakes

The toy was shaped like a sphere cut on one side.
The toy was shaped like a hemisphere.
use 'hemisphere' for one half of a round solid shape.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For the Earth sense, hemisphere is much more exact than general words like region or section. A hemisphere is one of the two large halves of the planet, usually divided by the equator or by an east-west line. Region can mean any area, large or small, so it does not suggest an equal half. Section is even looser and is often used for parts of books, buildings, or documents, not geography. Globe refers to the whole Earth, not one half of it. If you are talking about climate patterns, seasons, or world maps, hemisphere is the best choice because it immediately tells the reader that you mean one half of the planet.

region ↗section ↗globe ↗

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Hemisphere comes from Greek parts meaning 'half' and 'ball'. The word passed through scientific Latin and French before English adopted it for one half of the Earth, the brain, or another round body.