terrarium

[ tuh-rair-ee-uhm ]

/ təˈrɛər i əm /

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noun, plural ter·rar·i·ums, ter·rar·i·a

[tuh-rair-ee-uh]. /təˈrɛər i ə/.

a vivarium for land animals (distinguished from aquarium).

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

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Origin of terrarium

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

Words nearby terrarium

Terra Mater, Terramycin, terrane, terrapin, terraqueous, terrarium, terra sigillata, terra verde, terrazzo, Terre Adélie, Terrebonne

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use terrarium in a sentence

Once the seeds were sown, the plants were irrigated and placed in clear, ventilated terrarium boxes under growth lights.
Scientists Grow Plants in Soil from the Moon. Lunar Farming Could Be Next.|Jeffrey Kluger|May 12, 2022|Time
Inside a terrarium, however, the humidity should be adequate.
Why and how to grow your own moss garden|John Kennedy|July 20, 2021|Popular-Science
This terrarium is multifunctional and would look great as a decorative feature on a desk or on a bookshelf.
Best college graduation gifts: Tools to get them on their way|PopSci Commerce Team|March 12, 2021|Popular-Science
After an hour or more in the experimental terrarium they seemed somewhat debilitated.
Life History and Ecology of the Five-lined Skink, Eumeces fasciatus|Henry S. Fitch

On May 10 a terrarium with several adults was placed in dilute sunshine beside a window in an unheated room.
Life History and Ecology of the Five-lined Skink, Eumeces fasciatus|Henry S. Fitch
In this condition, placed in a terrarium with a mixed group of breeding adults, his social status was of unusual interest.
Life History and Ecology of the Five-lined Skink, Eumeces fasciatus|Henry S. Fitch
A spider placed in the terrarium usually aroused one or more skinks to animated pursuit, as soon as it moved.
Life History and Ecology of the Five-lined Skink, Eumeces fasciatus|Henry S. Fitch
After rapid nibbling it would drop the tail, and leaving it temporarily would explore the terrarium.
Life History and Ecology of the Five-lined Skink, Eumeces fasciatus|Henry S. Fitch

British Dictionary definitions for terrarium

terrarium

/ (tɛˈrɛərɪəm) /

noun plural -rariums or -raria (-ˈrɛərɪə)

an enclosure for keeping small land animals

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

Word Origin for terrarium

C19: New Latin, from Latin terra earth

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012