terrestrial

adjective

ter·​res·​tri·​al tə-ˈre-st(r)ē-əl  -ˈres-chəl 

-ˈresh-

1

a

: of or relating to the earth or its inhabitants

terrestrial magnetism

b

: mundane in scope or character : prosaic

2

a

: of or relating to land as distinct from air or water

terrestrial transportation

b(1)

: living on or in or growing from land

terrestrial plants

terrestrial birds

(2)

: of or relating to terrestrial organisms

terrestrial habits

3

: belonging to the class of planets that are like the earth (as in density and silicate composition)

the terrestrial planets Mercury, Venus, and Mars

terrestrial noun

terrestrially adverb

Did you know?

Terrestrial might be a pretty down-to-earth word, but some of its relatives are out of this world. "Terrestrial" first appeared in English in the 15th century and derives from the Latin root terra, which means "earth." In the mid-1800s "extra-" was added to "terrestrial," giving us "extraterrestrial," an adjective that can be used to describe things (including science fiction creatures) that come from space. "Terrestrial" shares the "-al" suffix with "celestial," which was first used in the 14th century. Not surprisingly, "celestial" ("of or relating to the sky or visible heavens") traces back to the Latin for sky, "caelum."

Synonyms

• carnal
• earthborn
• earthbound
• earthly
• fleshly
• material
• mundane
• sublunary
• temporal
• terrene
• worldly

Examples of terrestrial in a Sentence

The toad has terrestrial habits, spending most of its time on shore.

scientists haven't even found all the terrestrial life on our planet

Recent Examples on the Web

Analyzing samples in a terrestrial lab might reveal biosignatures, or the traces of ancient life, that elude detection with instruments on Mars. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 8 Jan. 2025

Scientists believe this adaptation could also be an evolutionary stepping stone toward more terrestrial behavior in other species. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

These days it’s been appropriated by the brunching set, and the proof in most recipes has been brought down to terrestrial levels. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 28 Dec. 2024

Let the Right Ones In Like us, all terrestrial plants and soils are inhabited by a diverse, complex, and interactive community of microorganisms. —Kathy Willis, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin terrestris, from terra earth — more at terrace entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

terrestrial

adjective

ter·​res·​tri·​al tə-ˈres-trē-əl  -ˈres-chəl 

-ˈresh-chəl

1

: of or relating to the earth or its living things

2

a

: of or relating to land as distinct from air or water

terrestrial transportation

b

: living on or in or growing from land

terrestrial plants

terrestrial birds