ex·ter·nal
ek-ˈstər-nᵊl 
1
a
: capable of being perceived outwardly
external signs of a disease
b(1)
: having merely the outward appearance of something : superficial
(2)
: not intrinsic or essential
external circumstances
2
a
: of, relating to, or connected with the outside or an outer part
the building's external features
b
: applied or applicable to the outside
a lotion for external use
3
a(1)
: situated outside, apart, or beyond
specifically
: situated near or toward the surface of the body
(2)
: arising or acting from outside
an external force
b
: of or relating to dealings or relationships with foreign countries
c
: having existence independent of the mind
external reality
: something that is external: such as
a
: an outer part
b
: an external feature or aspect
—usually used in plural
Examples of external in a Sentence
Adjective
the external features of the building
the external signs of the disease
Recent Examples on the Web
Quanta Magazine, 27 Oct. 2025
Friedlander is likely to either bring in an external candidate to oversee the division or promote from within.
—Peter White, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
Daniella Walsh, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025
The externals don’t really matter.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for external
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Adjective
To be certain, more research is needed in other animal groups — including terrestrial animals, which can have complex external geometries such as feathers and hair, and warm-blooded, or endothermic, animals such as mammals and birds.
—Quanta Magazine, 27 Oct. 2025
Friedlander is likely to either bring in an external candidate to oversee the division or promote from within.
—Peter White, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
The poem dismisses prevailing emphases on externals, stressing instead the formative powers of one’s inner being.
—Daniella Walsh, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025
The externals don’t really matter.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for external
Cite this Entry
“External.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/external. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
external
1 of 2 adjective
ex·ter·nal
ek-ˈstərn-ᵊl
1
: outwardly visible
external signs of relief
2
a
: of, relating to, or connected with the outside or an outer part
the building's external features
b
: applied or applicable to the outside
for external use only
3
: arising or acting from outside
external pressures
4
: of or relating to relationships with foreign countries
external affairs
external
2 of 2 noun
: something external
—usually used in plural
Medical Definition
external
adjective
ex·ter·nal
ek-ˈstərn-ᵊl
1
: capable of being perceived outwardly : bodily
external signs of a disease
2
a
: situated at, on, or near the outside
an external protective covering
an external muscle
b
: directed toward the outside : having an outside object
external perception
eyesight and the other external senses
c
: used by applying to the outside
an external lotion
3
a(1)
: situated near or toward the surface of the body
also
: situated away from the mesial plane
the external condyle of the humerus
(2)
: arising or acting from outside : having an outside origin
external causes
external stimuli
b
: of, relating to, or consisting of something outside the mind : having existence independent of the mind
sensations aroused by external phenomena
external reality
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