terrestrial

American  

[tuh-res-tree-uhl] / təˈrɛs tri əl /

adjective

1. pertaining to, consisting of, or representing the earth as distinct from other planets.

   Synonyms:

   terrene

   Antonyms:

   celestial

2. of or relating to land as distinct from water.

3. Botany.

   1. growing on land; not aquatic.

   2. growing in the ground; not epiphytic or aerial.

4. Zoology. living on or in the ground; not aquatic, arboreal, or aerial.

5. of or relating to the earth or this world; worldly; mundane.

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noun

1. an inhabitant of the earth, especially a human being.

terrestrial British  

/ təˈrɛstrɪəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the earth

2. of or belonging to the land as opposed to the sea or air

3. (of animals and plants) living or growing on the land

4. earthly, worldly, or mundane

5. (of television signals) sent over the earth's surface from a transmitter on land, rather than by satellite

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noun

1. an inhabitant of the earth

terrestrial Scientific  

/ tə-rĕs′trē-əl /

1. Relating to Earth or its inhabitants.

2. Relating to, living on, or growing on land.

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Synonym Usage

See earthly.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonterrestrial
  adjective
• terrestrialness
  noun
• terrestrially
  adverb
• underterrestrial
  adjective
• unterrestrial
  adjective
• preterrestrial
  adjective
• superterrestrial
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of terrestrial

First recorded in 1450–1550; late Middle English from Latin terrestri(s) “pertaining to earth” (derivative of terra “earth”) + -al ¹

Explanation

Not straying far from its Latin root terra, meaning "earth," terrestrial means "of the earth." If it's terrestrial, you'll find it on earth. If it's extraterrestrial, you'll find it emerging from a UFO. The adjective terrestrial can also be used to describe something that lives on land (as opposed to living in water, for example). "On their trip to the rain forest, the scientists were charged with cataloging terrestrial animals. Another group was going to be in charge of cataloging the aquatic animals." The adjective can also be used to describe something that is mundane in character. The teenager cried, "My life is boring and full of terrestrial events like going to band practice and to class!"

Example Sentences

Wildlife experts from the German Oceanographic Museum and the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research said the whale was severely injured with visible skin detachments.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Terrestrial computing requires significant cooling, energy, and water, inefficiencies that some space designs can mitigate.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

Terrestrial radio, while long a signature feature of L.A.’s heavy commutes, has come under serious financial pressure in recent years, thanks to competition from streaming music services and podcasting.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 7, 2024

"Terrestrial slugs and snails make up more than one-third of the total documented animal species extinctions since the year 1500," Denver said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2024

Merle had received his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University and been ensconced for two years at the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, Swann’s former haunt.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik