extraterrestrial

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​tra·​ter·​res·​tri·​al ˌek-strə-tə-ˈre-strē-əl How to pronounce extraterrestrial (audio)
-ˈres-chəl
-ˈresh-chəl
: originating, existing, or occurring outside the earth or its atmosphere
extraterrestrial life

extraterrestrial

2 of 2

noun

: a being from another world : an extraterrestrial being

Examples of extraterrestrial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Theologians have gone so far as to wonder how Catholic teaching would apply to hypothetical extraterrestrial life. Luis Parrales, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026 The committee that came up with the new guidelines further acknowledged that many technosignatures beyond radio transmissions can now be detected as evidence of extraterrestrial life. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 15 June 2026
Noun
The extraterrestrials wiped Daniel and Margaret’s memories of that night, knowing that when the aliens someday returned, the pair would be able to relay their otherworldly messages to the citizens of Earth. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 13 June 2026 The technologies and biology of the extraterrestrials are left largely unexplained, with the plot focusing less on those details and more on how humanity reacts to their existence. Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for extraterrestrial

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1848, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of extraterrestrial was in 1848

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Cite this Entry

“Extraterrestrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extraterrestrial. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

extraterrestrial

adjective
ex·​tra·​ter·​res·​tri·​al
ˌek-strə-tə-ˈres-trē-əl
: coming from or existing outside the earth or its atmosphere
extraterrestrial life
extraterrestrial noun

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