terrestrial
tuh-RES-tree-ul
/təˈres.tri.əl/
Relating to the Earth or land, as opposed to aquatic marine environments or the atmosphere.
Distinguishes land-based organisms or features from water-dwelling or aerial ones.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin terrestris, stemming from terra (earth or dry ground), contrastingly used since antiquity against marine or celestial realms.
Word relationships
- land-based: Land-based is everyday language, whereas terrestrial is formal and scientific.
- aquatic: Aquatic relates to water environments, whereas terrestrial relates directly to land.
Commonly confused with
- extraterrestrial: Extraterrestrial means originating outside Planet Earth; terrestrial means belonging to planet Earth or dry land.
Word family
- terrestrially (adverb): In a land-dwelling or earthly manner.
Collocations
- terrestrial species
- terrestrial ecosystem
- terrestrial animals
- terrestrial radiation
Example sentences
- "Elephants are the largest terrestrial mammals living on land today." Zoology
Memory hook
TERRA cotta pots are made of earthy land clay. Terrestrial = grounded on land.
When not to use
Do not use for organisms that live exclusively underwater or in open sky.
Fun facts
- Only about 29 percent of Earth's surface consists of terrestrial land habitats.
Related words
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