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 : 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

— ter·res·tri·al·ly adverb