terrarium

noun ter·rar·i·um \ tə-ˈrer-ē-əm \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Editor's Note: A terrarium at the Zoo

Definition of terrarium

plural terraria play \tə-ˈrer-ē-ə\ or terrariums

: a usually transparent enclosure for keeping or raising plants or usually small animals (such as turtles) indoors

See terrarium defined for English-language learners

See terrarium defined for kids

Recent Examples of terrarium from the Web

The basic problem with Kobach’s case, of course, is that it’s built atop a fake talking point that has been turned into an outright fantasy by years of repetition in the conservative terrarium.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "The 'Voter Fraud' Myth Is Just Embarrassing at This Point," 14 Mar. 2018
The children of the rich and famous – at least one future billionaire among them – were spending their spare time dabbling with orgonites, which just happen to have a slightly more fraught history than, say, fidget spinners or terrariums.

— refinery29.com, "Kylie Jenner, Crystals & Cults: Inside The Mysterious Orgonite Society," 13 July 2018
To speed it along, create a terrarium using a takeout container with a clear lid.

— sharon tregaskis, Good Housekeeping, "The Easiest Way To Grow Spicy Ginger In Your Own House," 24 Oct. 2017
Outstanding in landscape, hanging baskets and in terrariums.

— karen dardick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Bromeliads create garden drama," 17 May 2018
Another part of the festival, held April 21 and 22, included three hanging terrariums displaying artistic representations of three Illinois ecosystems — a bog, a woodland and a ravine.

— daniel i. dorfman, chicagotribune.com, "Garden festival gives hands-on experience to horticultural science fans," 26 Apr. 2018
Half the hotel was this big glass terrarium, tropical inside, with an enormous pool and all these trees and a play area.

— kevin doyle, WSJ, "24 Famous Globe-Trotters on the Hotels They Love Most," 27 Apr. 2018
For now at least, reasonable scientific minds will continue to differ on whether life exists anywhere in the universe beyond our one Earthly terrarium.

— jeffrey kluger, Time, "NASA Is About to Launch the Next Big Step in the Search for Life in Space," 17 Apr. 2018
Many of the animals will be for sale, along with the necessary terrariums and accessories at wholesale prices.

— sonja haller, azcentral, "Predators Reptile Expo in Mesa April 14-15: See the world's longest snake," 12 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'terrarium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

A terrarium at the Zoo

The turtle exhibit at a zoo is often in the form of a terrarium, as are some of the exhibits at a plant conservatory. In an ant terrarium, elementary-school students watch the ants dig their network of tunnels as if no one were watching. Terrariums try to create conditions as close as possible to a natural habitat. A covered terrarium can often sustain itself for months on the moisture trapped inside. But creating a good terrarium requires careful control not only of humidity but also of temperature, as well as good ventilation; the lighting should include the full spectrum of sunlight as well as a day-night regulator.