terrarium

[tuh-rair-ee-uhm]

noun

plural

terrariums, terraria 

1. a vivarium for land animals (aquarium ).

2. a glass container, chiefly or wholly enclosed, for growing and displaying plants.

terrarium

/ tɛˈrɛərɪəm /

noun

1. an enclosure for keeping small land animals

2. a glass container, often a globe, in which plants are grown

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrarium¹

First recorded in 1885–90; terr(a) + -arium

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrarium¹

C19: New Latin, from Latin terra earth

Example Sentences

The American remake of “The Office” transformed the blank environs of an office supplies wholesaler into an adorable terrarium.

From Salon

She wanted a big rose garden inside her house, he said, “and it was almost like a terrarium. It was gorgeous when it bloomed.”

From Los Angeles Times

If you’re not blown away by the nostalgia terrarium that is “Five Minutes,” you may find “Written By: A Week Inside the SNL Writers Room” has the gravitas you want.

From Salon

She wasn't interested to know that Clyde, appraising us from his teeny terrarium, was a near-doppelgänger for the 16 1/2-year-old companion I had lost a few months before.

From Salon

To do so, the researchers fed the terrariums with half a teaspoon of fruit flies and recorded their hunting.

From Science Daily