terrestrial

[ tuh-res-tree-uhl ]

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.

noun

1. an inhabitant of the earth, especially a human being.

terrestrial

/ 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

noun

1. an inhabitant of the earth

terrestrial

/ tə-rĕs′trē-əl /

1. Relating to Earth or its inhabitants.
2. Relating to, living on, or growing on land.

Derived Forms

• terˈrestrialness, noun
• terˈrestrially, adverb

Other Words From

• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrestrial¹

First recorded in 1450–1550; late Middle English from Latin terrestri(s) “pertaining to earth” (derivative of terra “earth”) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of terrestrial¹

C15: from Latin terrestris, from terra earth

Synonym Study

See earthly.

Example Sentences

As young audiences increasingly turn their back on terrestrial TV, the BBC is under pressure to adapt - particularly as individual match highlights now appear on YouTube long before Match of the Day's 10:30pm time slot.

From BBC

Mike Turner from Pontypool said all international rugby should be on free to watch on terrestrial TV.

From BBC

“I know E.T. wanted to go home, but I hope that if the movie took place in 2024 that my favorite extra terrestrial would come to my party instead.”

From Los Angeles Times

In letters written to the telecoms regulator earlier in October, seen by the BBC, Reliance repeatedly urged the creation of a "level playing field between satellite-based and terrestrial access services".

From BBC

The firm also said that "recent advancements in satellite technologies... have significantly blurred the lines between satellite and terrestrial networks", and that "satellite-based services are no longer confined to areas unserved by terrestrial networks".

From BBC