terrestrial
pertaining to, consisting of, or representing the earth as distinct from other planets.
of or relating to land as distinct from water.
Botany.
growing on land; not aquatic.
growing in the ground; not epiphytic or aerial.
Zoology. living on or in the ground; not aquatic, arboreal, or aerial.
of or relating to the earth or this world; worldly; mundane.
an inhabitant of the earth, especially a human being.
Origin of terrestrial
1synonym study For terrestrial
Other words for terrestrial
Opposites for terrestrial
Other words from terrestrial
- ter·res·tri·al·ly, adverb
- non·ter·res·tri·al, adjective, noun
- pre·ter·res·tri·al, adjective
- su·per·ter·res·tri·al, adjective
- un·der·ter·res·tri·al, adjective
- un·ter·res·tri·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use terrestrial in a sentence
One of the Terrestrials shouted something unintelligible and pointed up.
Giants on the Earth | Sterner St. Paul MeekEven as he fell, a roar went up from the watching Terrestrials and with one accord they closed in to attack.
Giants on the Earth | Sterner St. Paul MeekAs they fell on the front ranks of the charging Terrestrials, the form, on which the rays impinged grew suddenly tenuous.
Giants on the Earth | Sterner St. Paul MeekWith a shout the crouching group of Terrestrials rushed toward him, but Damis did not wait.
Giants on the Earth | Sterner St. Paul MeekThe swords of the Terrestrials pierced the struggling guard from the rear and Damis rushed toward the three survivors.
Giants on the Earth | Sterner St. Paul Meek
British Dictionary definitions for terrestrial
/ (təˈrɛstrɪəl) /
of or relating to the earth
of or belonging to the land as opposed to the sea or air
(of animals and plants) living or growing on the land
earthly, worldly, or mundane
(of television signals) sent over the earth's surface from a transmitter on land, rather than by satellite
an inhabitant of the earth
Origin of terrestrial
1Derived forms of terrestrial
- terrestrially, adverb
- terrestrialness, noun
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
Scientific definitions for terrestrial
[ tə-rĕs′trē-əl ]
Relating to Earth or its inhabitants.
Relating to, living on, or growing on land.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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