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

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

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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

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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

See Examples For:

terrestrial

"The project area-of-influence includes 27 terrestrial species already at threat of extinction."

From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026

“Given that the majority of terrestrial birds rely on insects as a primary food source for reproduction and survival, the persistence of insectivorous bird populations is inextricably linked to insect conservation.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026

More recent studies have challenged that assumption, identifying fluorescent properties in a growing variety of terrestrial animals, including reptiles, birds, and amphibians.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026

"Communication is so important, and terrestrial communication platforms, whether it's 5G or fibre, can be attacked on the ground," Berneke said.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026

It was the first time any human had managed to leave the Afro-Asian ecological system—indeed, the first time any large terrestrial mammal had managed to cross from Afro-Asia to Australia.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

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