terrestrial
adjective
ter·res·tri·al tə-ˈre-st(r)ē-əl 
-ˈres-chəl,
-ˈresh- 1
a
: of or relating to the earth or its inhabitants
terrestrial magnetism
b
: mundane in scope or character : prosaic
2
a
: of or relating to land as distinct from air or water
terrestrial transportation
b(1)
: living on or in or growing from land
terrestrial plants
terrestrial birds
(2)
: of or relating to terrestrial organisms
terrestrial habits
3
: belonging to the class of planets that are like the earth (as in density and silicate composition)
the terrestrial planets Mercury, Venus, and Mars
terrestrial noun
terrestrially adverb
Did you know?
Terrestrial might be a pretty down-to-earth word, but some of its relatives are out of this world. "Terrestrial" first appeared in English in the 15th century and derives from the Latin root terra, which means "earth." In the mid-1800s "extra-" was added to "terrestrial," giving us "extraterrestrial," an adjective that can be used to describe things (including science fiction creatures) that come from space. "Terrestrial" shares the "-al" suffix with "celestial," which was first used in the 14th century. Not surprisingly, "celestial" ("of or relating to the sky or visible heavens") traces back to the Latin for sky, "caelum."
Synonyms
- carnal
- earthborn
- earthbound
- earthly
- fleshly
- material
- mundane
- sublunary
- temporal
- terrene
- worldly
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The toad has terrestrial habits, spending most of its time on shore. scientists haven't even found all the terrestrial life on our planet
Recent Examples on the Web For example, the NWF states that 96% of U.S. terrestrial birds rely on insects supported by keystone plants. 
Jennifer Rude Klett, Journal Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 The iPhone 14 also includes an Emergency SOS feature that uses communications satellites — to cover areas where terrestrial wireless mobile networks don’t reach. Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 For centuries, circumnavigation was a completely terrestrial effort, but that all ended on April 12, 1961, when a derivative of the R-7 rocket launched cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and Vostok 1 into Earth’s orbit. Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 6 Sep. 2022 Whales, dolphins, sea lions and sea otters frolic in the waters around the park, while the islands provide a terrestrial habitat for super-rare flora and fauna species like the Torrey Pine and Island Fox. Joe Yogerst, CNN, 4 Sep. 2022 In The Avengers, the heroes unite to stop extra-terrestrial beings from destroying New York City. Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 1 Sep. 2022 Penalties are more problematic, disrupting not just spiritual progress but terrestrial employment. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 Existing cell phone networks rely on terrestrial cell towers to communicate with your phone. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 26 Aug. 2022 Canine rabies is among more than 20 variants — seven found in terrestrial mammals and more than 13 in species of bats, said rabies control program coordinator Richard Chipman. Fox News, 26 Aug. 2022 See More
Jennifer Rude Klett, Journal Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 The iPhone 14 also includes an Emergency SOS feature that uses communications satellites — to cover areas where terrestrial wireless mobile networks don’t reach. Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Sep. 2022 For centuries, circumnavigation was a completely terrestrial effort, but that all ended on April 12, 1961, when a derivative of the R-7 rocket launched cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and Vostok 1 into Earth’s orbit. Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 6 Sep. 2022 Whales, dolphins, sea lions and sea otters frolic in the waters around the park, while the islands provide a terrestrial habitat for super-rare flora and fauna species like the Torrey Pine and Island Fox. Joe Yogerst, CNN, 4 Sep. 2022 In The Avengers, the heroes unite to stop extra-terrestrial beings from destroying New York City. Marisa Lascala, Good Housekeeping, 1 Sep. 2022 Penalties are more problematic, disrupting not just spiritual progress but terrestrial employment. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 Existing cell phone networks rely on terrestrial cell towers to communicate with your phone. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 26 Aug. 2022 Canine rabies is among more than 20 variants — seven found in terrestrial mammals and more than 13 in species of bats, said rabies control program coordinator Richard Chipman. Fox News, 26 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin terrestris, from terra earth — more at terrace entry 1
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
terrestrial
adjective
ter·res·tri·al tə-ˈre-strē-əl
1
: relating to the earth or its people Does anything like terrestrial life exist on other planets?
2
: living or growing on land
terrestrial birds
terrestrial
adjective
1
as in temporal
having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven scientists haven't even found all the terrestrial life on our planet Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- temporal
- mundane
- animal
- physical
- earthly
- earthbound
- terrene
- sublunary
- bodily
- corporeal
- worldly
- diurnal
- earthborn
- material
- carnal
- daily
- corporal
- fleshly
- anthropocentric
- anthropic
- anthropical
- unspiritual
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- celestial
- heavenly
- nontemporal
- unearthly
- unworldly
- metaphysical
- spiritual
- supernal
- religious
- empyrean
- divine
- extraterrestrial
- sacred
- empyreal
- utopian
- devotional
- supernatural
- transcendental
- transcendent
- ethereal
- Elysian
2
as in mundane
having to do with the practical details of regular life let's focus on terrestrial issues—such as how to pay the bills Synonyms & Similar Words
- mundane
- everyday
- prosaic
- earthly
- workaday
- temporal
- typical
- normal
- ordinary
- generic
- worldly
- usual
- standard
- average
- garden
- nitty-gritty
- routine
- regular
- customary
- common
- frequent
- familiar
- habitual
- unremarkable
- plain
- commonplace
- run-of-the-mill
- unexceptional
- popular
- run-of-the-mine
- predictable
- run-of-mine
- expected
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sublime
- noble
- abnormal
- atypical
- lofty
- aberrant
- special
- extraordinary
- peculiar
- unusual
- singular
- unique
- exceptional
- rare
- phenomenal
- uncommon
- high-minded
- wild
- strange
- bizarre
- remarkable
- unwonted
- weird
- outlandish
- odd
- quirky
- freak
- uncustomary
- curious
- outré
- funny
- quaint
- screwy
- out-of-the-way
- far-out