terra firma

noun

ter·​ra fir·​ma ˌter-ə-ˈfər-mə How to pronounce terra firma (audio)
also -ˈfir-
Synonyms of terra firmanext
: dry land : solid ground

Examples of terra firma in a Sentence

after that nightmarish storm, the sailors were grateful to reach terra firma
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her leadership has been just as essential on terra firma, guiding SpaceX in its recent acquisition of xAI as well as the April announcement of its IPO. Arianna Huffington, Time, 15 Apr. 2026 And that's important, because Orion — like the Apollo capsules before it — is designed to splash down in the ocean, not land on terra firma. Mike Wall, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026 The same equipment that keeps the Grenadier gripped up and comfortable on the terra firma also behooves its ride around town. Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026 Yet the sensation of a work that, in translation from one medium to another, no longer defies gravity but sort of roughly plummets back down to terra firma can’t easily be shaken off. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for terra firma

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, solid land

First Known Use

1638, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of terra firma was in 1638

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Terra firma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terra%20firma. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

terra firma

noun
ter·​ra fir·​ma
-ˈfər-mə
: dry land : solid ground
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster