Definition of earth
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 airb : 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 planet table
5a : the people of the planet Earthb : the mortal human bodyc : 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
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Examples of earth in a Sentence
The moisture will eventually fall to earth in the form of rain or snow.
We could feel the earth shake.
Origin and Etymology of earth
Middle English erthe, from Old English eorthe; akin to Old High German erda earth, Greek era
First Known Use: before 12th century
earth
Definition of earth
transitive verb
1 : to drive to hiding in the earth
2 : to draw soil about (plants) —often used with up
3 chiefly British : ground 3
intransitive verb
of a hunted animal : to hide in the ground
1575
First Known Use of earth
1575
EARTH Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of earth for English Language Learners
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: the planet on which we live
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: land as opposed to the sea, the air, etc.
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: the material in which plants grow
EARTH Defined for Kids
Learn More about earth
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See words that rhyme with earth Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for earth Spanish Central: Translation of earth Nglish: Translation of earth for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of earth for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about earth
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