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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Related Words

See earthly.

Other Word Forms

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

Example Sentences

Aerial and terrestrial drones have redefined the nature of war in recent years.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Researchers initially compared the specimen to the Terrestrisuchus, another early member of the crocodylomorpha group - also known for its long legs and fully terrestrial lifestyle.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

“Global electricity demand for AI simply cannot be met with terrestrial solutions, even in the near term, without imposing hardship on communities and the environment,” Musk said in a memo published Monday.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 3, 2026

Bailey believes similar connections may exist between terrestrial and aquatic environments.

From Science Daily • Jan. 30, 2026

Halley was interested in terrestrial magnetism and had an idea that variations in magnetism from place to place around the globe might, if they were first mapped accurately, be used as a means of navigation.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin