earth

noun

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\ ˈərth

Definition of earth

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the fragmental material composing part of the surface of the globe especially : cultivable soil

2 : the sphere of mortal life as distinguished from spheres of spirit life — compare heaven, hell

3a : areas of land as distinguished from sea and air

b : the solid footing formed of soil : ground

4 often capitalized : the planet on which we live that is third in order from the sun — see Planets Table

5a : the people of the planet Earth

b : the mortal human body

c : the pursuits, interests, and pleasures of earthly life as distinguished from spiritual concerns

6 : the lair of a burrowing animal

7 : an excessive amount of money —used with the real suede, which costs the earth to clean— Joanne Winship

on earth

—used as an intensive to find out what on earth he was up to— Michael Holroyd

earth

verb

earthed; earthing; earths

Definition of earth (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to drive to hiding in the earth

2 : to draw soil about (plants) —often used with up

3 chiefly British : ground sense 4

intransitive verb

of a hunted animal : to hide in the ground

Other Words from earth Synonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing earth Learn More About earth

Examples of earth in a Sentence

Noun The moisture will eventually fall to earth in the form of rain or snow. We could feel the earth shake.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun One order became three, then six: 36 cubic yards of good earth. — Xander Peters, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 May 2022 If your yard is full of weeds, brown patches, or clumps of bare earth that can't seem to grow fresh grass, your lawn probably lacks important nutrients that can foster proper root growth and moisture retention. — Samantha Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2022 Those awakened early Monday reported feeling the earth shaking for several seconds, some even describing what sounded like a heavy truck moving nearby. — Meg Kinnard, ajc, 9 May 2022 At the 41-unit condominium complex below, residents also saw cracks in their walls, and the sidewalks buckled as the earth shifted underneath. — Hannah Frystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2022 Farm fields stretch out to the horizons, in brilliant, yellow blossoming rapeseed or tilled black earth. — Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, 7 May 2022 Angela Kelly is a very funny woman, very down-to-earth. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 5 May 2022 Magia Mezcal offers up aromas of wet earth, with citrus and agave notes and a hint of smokiness. — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 3 May 2022 In a recent flight, a 2015 Cabernet from Moon Mountain District (the Wises’ Sonoma property), made by Massimo Monticelli, was a concentrated and aromatic beauty, with black cherry layered on complexities of minerality and earth. — Sara L. Schneider, Robb Report, 3 May 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Step into nature, hike, perhaps try earthing (which is a practice of removing your shoes and walking on the earth to help rid you of stresses or clear your mind). — Krystyna Chávez, Marie Claire, 14 Jan. 2020 The outer cylinder is earthed while the inner one is not, creating a capacitor. — The Economist, 1 Aug. 2019 Practitioner John Manning will discuss earthing on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Enfield Public Library, 104 Middle Road. — Courant Community, 9 Jan. 2018 When the aerial is earthed, part of the carrier wave will be absorbed. — The Economist, 13 Sep. 2017 But Truth in Advertising, a consumer advocacy group, cited earthing in a database of 50-some instances in which Goop promoted unsubstantiated products or claims. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2017 Inside, the château is an equal marvel, perfectly restored and filled with contemporary art and, for balance, fragments of a meteorite that fell to earth 200 million years ago. — Jon Maksik, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Apr. 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'earth.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.