terrestrial

UK: /təˈrɛstriəl/ US: /təˈrɛstriəl/ ,(tə res′trē əl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ter•res•tri•al /təˈrɛstriəl/   adj. 

1. of or relating to the earth as distinct from other planets:
   terrestrial atmosphere.
2. of or relating to land as distinct from water:
   Most terrestrial creatures have less need to be streamlined than marine creatures.

n. [countable]

3. an inhabitant of the earth, esp. a human being.

See -terr-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ter•res•tri•al  (tə res′trē əl), adj. 

1. pertaining to, consisting of, or representing the earth as distinct from other planets.
2. of or pertaining to land as distinct from water.
3. [Bot.]
   • Botany growing on land;
     not aquatic.
   • Botany growing in the ground;
     not epiphytic or aerial.
4. Zoology living on or in the ground;
   not aquatic, arboreal, or aerial.
5. of or pertaining to the earth or this world;
   worldly;
   mundane.

n. 

6. an inhabitant of the earth, esp. a human being.

• Latin terrestri(s) pertaining to earth (derivative of terra earth) + -al¹
• late Middle English 1400–50

ter•res′tri•al•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. terrene. See earthly. 

Antonyms

• 1. celestial.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin terrestris, from terra earth

terˈrestrially adverb

terˈrestrialness noun