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
Synonyms
Examples of external in a Sentence
Adjective
the external features of the building
the external signs of the disease
Recent Examples on the Web
Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2024
Collaborate closely with internal teams, external partners and industry insiders to validate your strategy and poke holes in it to test your assumptions and make your product better.
—Jeffrey Edell, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2024
An external pallet packed with old nickel-hydrogen batteries was released from the International Space Station, in orbit 260 miles above the Pacific Ocean on March 11, 2021.NASA
Low-Earth orbit space debris has been a problem since the first satellite launch in 1957.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
An external hard drive attached to your computer is still vulnerable to hackers.
—Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024
Her other festival essential is an external battery.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Additionally, companies often rely heavily on DEI practices such as mandatory diversity training or brief workshops with external consultants that actually depress the numbers of Black workers – and other workers of color – in leadership roles.
—Adia Harvey Wingfield, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
They’ve been undermined and demonized partly by external forces and internal forces.
—Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Germany is likely at the tail end of a shallow recession, weighed down by hesitant consumers, weak external demand and high borrowing costs.
—Rodrigo Orihuela, Fortune Europe, 9 Apr. 2024
Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Aug. 2023
And then inside formed the external of the costume.
—Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2023
Information out to the Foundation, alumni and other externals, too.
—Dawn Rhodes, chicagotribune.com, 13 July 2018
The externals extend upward from the hipbone to the ribs and spine, and the internals rise forward from the hip to ribs.
—Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2018
While the Notebook 9 Pen carries the high-end internals that would justify a $1,399 price tag, its externals don't match up.
—Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, 4 Apr. 2018
The kind of love that isn’t based on externals, but on a deep connection within.
—Paige Davis, Health.com, 2 Apr. 2018
After a minute or so, the mind goes outward once again and attends to the externals.
—Martin Seligman, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Mar. 2018
MEMBERS OF THE EXTERNAL EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL PETER HARVEY, Esq.
—NOLA.com, 11 Aug. 2017
Adjective
These risks are in the context of external acute exposure to high levels of the chemical, or ingestion of the chemical on its own, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2024
Collaborate closely with internal teams, external partners and industry insiders to validate your strategy and poke holes in it to test your assumptions and make your product better.
—Jeffrey Edell, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2024
An external pallet packed with old nickel-hydrogen batteries was released from the International Space Station, in orbit 260 miles above the Pacific Ocean on March 11, 2021.NASA
Low-Earth orbit space debris has been a problem since the first satellite launch in 1957.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 17 Apr. 2024
An external hard drive attached to your computer is still vulnerable to hackers.
—Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024
Her other festival essential is an external battery.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Additionally, companies often rely heavily on DEI practices such as mandatory diversity training or brief workshops with external consultants that actually depress the numbers of Black workers – and other workers of color – in leadership roles.
—Adia Harvey Wingfield, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2024
They’ve been undermined and demonized partly by external forces and internal forces.
—Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Germany is likely at the tail end of a shallow recession, weighed down by hesitant consumers, weak external demand and high borrowing costs.
—Rodrigo Orihuela, Fortune Europe, 9 Apr. 2024
Noun
Alex’s first mistake is seeing in Henry the externals — the privilege.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Aug. 2023
And then inside formed the external of the costume.
—Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2023
Information out to the Foundation, alumni and other externals, too.
—Dawn Rhodes, chicagotribune.com, 13 July 2018
The externals extend upward from the hipbone to the ribs and spine, and the internals rise forward from the hip to ribs.
—Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2018
While the Notebook 9 Pen carries the high-end internals that would justify a $1,399 price tag, its externals don't match up.
—Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, 4 Apr. 2018
The kind of love that isn’t based on externals, but on a deep connection within.
—Paige Davis, Health.com, 2 Apr. 2018
After a minute or so, the mind goes outward once again and attends to the externals.
—Martin Seligman, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Mar. 2018
MEMBERS OF THE EXTERNAL EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL PETER HARVEY, Esq.
—NOLA.com, 11 Aug. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'external.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near external
Cite this Entry
“External.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/external. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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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