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

To do so, the researchers fed the terrariums with half a teaspoon of fruit flies and recorded their hunting.

From Science Daily

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

On another, she organized a workshop in a tent outside the dorms, helping children plant terrariums.

From Seattle Times

Add a few terrariums for plants like Venus fly trap, ferns and spike moss that grow best in high humidity and moist soil conditions.

From Seattle Times

Unweaned kittens rest inside terrariums at the Best Friends Animal Society shelter in April 2017 in Mission Hills, California.

From Salon