adj.
Pronunciation: t ə - ' res-t(r) ē - ə l; - ' res-ch ə l, - ' resh-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin terrestris, from terra earth ― more at TERRACE
Date: 15th century
1 a : of or relating to the earth or its inhabitants < terrestrial magnetism> b : mundane in scope or character : PROSAIC
2 a : of or relating to land as distinct from air or water < terrestrial transportation> b (1) : living on or in or growing from land < terrestrial plants> < terrestrial birds> (2) : of or relating to terrestrial organisms < terrestrial habits>
3 : belonging to the class of planets that are like the earth (as in density and silicate composition) <the terrestrial planets Mercury, Venus, and Mars>
– terrestrial noun
– ter · res · tri · al · ly adverb