terrestrial

American  

[tuh-res-tree-uhl] / təˈrɛs tri əl /

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.

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noun

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

terrestrial British  

/ 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

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noun

1. an inhabitant of the earth

terrestrial Scientific  

/ tə-rĕs′trē-əl /

1. Relating to Earth or its inhabitants.

2. Relating to, living on, or growing on land.

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Related Words

See earthly.

Other Word Forms

• nonterrestrial adjective
• preterrestrial adjective
• superterrestrial adjective
• terrestrially adverb
• terrestrialness noun
• underterrestrial adjective
• unterrestrial adjective

Etymology

Origin of terrestrial

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

Explanation

Not straying far from its Latin root terra, meaning "earth," terrestrial means "of the earth." If it's terrestrial, you'll find it on earth. If it's extraterrestrial, you'll find it emerging from a UFO. The adjective terrestrial can also be used to describe something that lives on land (as opposed to living in water, for example). "On their trip to the rain forest, the scientists were charged with cataloging terrestrial animals. Another group was going to be in charge of cataloging the aquatic animals." The adjective can also be used to describe something that is mundane in character. The teenager cried, "My life is boring and full of terrestrial events like going to band practice and to class!"

Example Sentences

This innovation may have played a major role in the success of reptiles and their descendants, setting the foundation for their dominance in terrestrial ecosystems.

From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2026

Globalstar also has terrestrial spectrum that could boost connectivity for warehouse automation or drones, Nowak said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

For businesses like Starlink and Amazon that are seeking to break into the telecom market, they are less expensive than building a terrestrial network from scratch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Aerial and terrestrial drones have redefined the nature of war in recent years.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

The stalk, or nipple, of this other hemisphere was the location of the terrestrial paradise.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton