adj
Uncommon
terrestrial
tih-REHST-rih-uhl
Terrestrial (adj) means relating to the Earth or its land, as opposed to sea, sky, or space. Example: “Terrestrial life is thought to have begun in the oceans.”
adj
1
Relating to the Earth or its land, as opposed to sea, sky, or space.
"Terrestrial life is thought to have begun in the oceans."
"Scientists study terrestrial landscapes such as deserts, forests and mountains."
"The probe sent back images unlike anything found in terrestrial geology."
2
Living or growing on land rather than in water.
"Tortoises are terrestrial, while turtles spend most of their time in water."
"Most cacti are terrestrial plants that thrive in dry soil."
"Unlike frogs, lizards are terrestrial animals that rarely enter the water."
3
Broadcast using ground-based radio signals rather than satellite or cable.
"The channel is available on terrestrial television as well as online."
"Our old aerial only picks up terrestrial channels, not satellite ones."
"Terrestrial broadcasts reach homes through a tall transmitter and a rooftop aerial."
How to use terrestrial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to land or Earth — used for wildlife habitats, planets, and (in the UK) regular TV broadcasting.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
terrestrial television
terrestrial life
terrestrial planet
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Word forms
Fill the gap
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_____ life is thought to have begun in the oceans.
Etymology
From Latin terrestris, "of the earth," from terra, "land, earth."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for terrestrial
See all rhymes for terrestrial →Frequently asked questions
What does “terrestrial” mean?
The word “terrestrial” means relating to the Earth or its land, as opposed to sea, sky, or space. In plain terms, relating to land or Earth — used for wildlife habitats, planets, and (in the UK) regular TV broadcasting.
How do you pronounce “terrestrial”?
“Terrestrial” is pronounced tih-REHST-rih-uhl (/tɪˈɹɛstɹɪ.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “terrestrial” in a sentence?
Here is “terrestrial” used in a sentence: “Terrestrial life is thought to have begun in the oceans.”
What is another word for “terrestrial”?
Words with a similar meaning to “terrestrial” include earthly, planetary, tellurian, telluric, Terran and terrene.
What is the opposite of “terrestrial”?
The opposite of “terrestrial” — its antonyms — are aerial, aquatic, arboreal, epiphytic and spiritual.
What part of speech is “terrestrial”?
“Terrestrial” is an adjective.
Where does the word “terrestrial” come from?
The word “terrestrial” comes from Latin. From Latin terrestris, "of the earth," from terra, "land, earth.".
Is “terrestrial” a common word?
“Terrestrial” is an uncommon word in modern English.
