terrarium

[ tuh-rair-ee-uhm ]

noun

, plural ter·rar·i·ums, ter·rar·i·a [t, uh, -, rair, -ee-, uh].

1. a vivarium for land animals ( aquarium ).
2. a glass container, chiefly or wholly enclosed, for growing and displaying plants.

terrarium

/ tɛˈrɛərɪəm /

noun

1. an enclosure for keeping small land animals
2. a glass container, often a globe, in which plants are grown

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrarium¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrarium¹

C19: New Latin, from Latin terra earth

Example Sentences

Earth isn’t an isolated terrarium, and life upon it has been as influenced by impacts and near misses as by continental drift.

From Slate

Those who spelled their first word correctly remained at the microphone while Sietsema told them, to cite one example, “Your vocabulary word is ‘terrarium.’”

From Seattle Times

This tiny ADU in L.A. delivers They built an ADU that’s ready for rules that don’t exist yet Tiny hideaway inspired by Richard Neutra has terrarium vibes and a rooftop deck This ADU rental with windows galore is a houseplant lover’s dream How an aging Tudor’s ADU reunited a family and brought them closer together They turned a one-car garage into a stunning ADU to house their parents.

From Los Angeles Times

"Snakes in captivity do that often when only one prey is offered in a terrarium with two or more snakes. But it is rather surprising that it has not been observed more frequently in the wild," says lead author Henrik Bringsøe.

From Science Daily

The American remake of "The Office" transformed the blank environs of an office supplies wholesaler into an adorable terrarium.

From Salon