earthbound

adjective

earth·​bound ˈərth-ˌbau̇nd How to pronounce earthbound (audio)
1
a
: fast in or to the soil
earthbound roots
b
: located on or restricted to land or to the surface of the earth
2
a
: bound by earthly interests

Examples of earthbound in a Sentence

a dull and earthbound mind we have too many earthbound worries to speculate on the number of angels who can dance on the head of a pin
Recent Examples on the Web Carrie Fisher is trading the Force for more earthbound type of magic. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 16 June 2023 But for evangelicals, the migration of non-White immigrants to the US from Latin America and Asia could represent a more earthbound form of salvation. John Blake, CNN, 3 Feb. 2024 The reality, as Hernández describes it in a recent interview with director and co-writer Alejandra Márquez Abella, is more earthbound – though perfect for a 10-year-old boy in that era. Peter Larsen, The Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2024 Spaceman stars Sandler as an astronaut named Jakub and Carey Mulligan as his earthbound wife Lenka. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 16 Jan. 2024 Because earthbound observers can directly view only the near side of the moon, Queqiao-2 will have to bounce signals between Chang’e-6 and Earth. IEEE Spectrum, 23 Dec. 2023 Sabu, in contrast, was possessed of a resolutely earthbound quality, along with the heady perfume of the unfamiliar to American audiences. Hazlitt, 29 Nov. 2023 Here, Earth is hot compared to space, and the temperature difference means that the earthbound photovoltaic cell emits net radiation to space. Sid Assawaworrarit, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2023 New buildings would have to sit not on an earthbound foundation but on a platform supported on concrete pillars. Curbed, 13 Sep. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of earthbound was circa 1616

Dictionary Entries Near earthbound

Cite this Entry

“Earthbound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earthbound. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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