external

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​ter·​nal ek-ˈstər-nᵊl How to pronounce external (audio)
1
a
: capable of being perceived outwardly
external signs of a disease
b(1)
: having merely the outward appearance of something : superficial
(2)
: not intrinsic or essential
external circumstances
2
a
: of, relating to, or connected with the outside or an outer part
the building's external features
b
: applied or applicable to the outside
a lotion for external use
3
a(1)
: situated outside, apart, or beyond
specifically : situated near or toward the surface of the body
(2)
: arising or acting from outside
an external force
b
: of or relating to dealings or relationships with foreign countries
c
: having existence independent of the mind
external reality
externally adverb

external

2 of 2

noun

: something that is external: such as
a
: an outer part
b
: an external feature or aspect
usually used in plural

Examples of external in a Sentence

Adjective the external features of the building the external signs of the disease
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
There are four primary factors that determine what your boss does, or doesn’t do: Personality Motivators (internal and external) Experience and training Stressors Personality Matters: Strengths as Weakness One of the most significant factors influencing a boss’s behavior is their personality. Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 Pushing the date back to early 2026 will give the board more time to conduct due diligence on both internal and external candidates, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named because the discussions are private. Alex Sherman, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
So, then the challenge of all of that is that there is the internals of the characters and the backstory, and the externals. Demetrius Patterson, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024 Alex’s first mistake is seeing in Henry the externals — the privilege. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for external 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'external.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin externus external, from exter — more at exterior

First Known Use

Adjective

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

circa 1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of external was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near external

Cite this Entry

“External.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/external. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

external

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​ter·​nal ek-ˈstərn-ᵊl How to pronounce external (audio)
1
: outwardly visible
external signs of relief
2
a
: of, relating to, or connected with the outside or an outer part
the building's external features
b
: applied or applicable to the outside
for external use only
3
: arising or acting from outside
external pressures
4
: of or relating to relationships with foreign countries
external affairs
externally adverb

external

2 of 2 noun
: something external
usually used in plural

Medical Definition

external

adjective
ex·​ter·​nal ek-ˈstərn-ᵊl How to pronounce external (audio)
1
: capable of being perceived outwardly : bodily
external signs of a disease
2
a
: situated at, on, or near the outside
an external protective covering
an external muscle
b
: directed toward the outside : having an outside object
external perception
eyesight and the other external senses
c
: used by applying to the outside
an external lotion
3
a(1)
: situated near or toward the surface of the body
also : situated away from the mesial plane
the external condyle of the humerus
(2)
: arising or acting from outside : having an outside origin
external causes
external stimuli
b
: of, relating to, or consisting of something outside the mind : having existence independent of the mind
sensations aroused by external phenomena
external reality
externally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on external

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