Main Entry:

ter·res·tri·al

Pronunciation:

\tə-ˈres-t(r)ē-əl; -ˈres-chəl, -ˈresh-\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin terrestris, from terra earth — more at terrace

Date:

15th century

1 a: of or relating to the earth or its inhabitants <terrestrial magnetism> b: mundane in scope or character : prosaic2 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

— ter·res·tri·al·ly adverb