extraterrestrial

[ ek-struh-tuh-res-tree-uh l ]
/ ˌɛk strə təˈrɛs tri əl /

adjective

outside, or originating outside, the limits of the earth.

noun

an extraterrestrial being: a science fiction novel about extraterrestrials conquering the earth.

Origin of extraterrestrial

First recorded in 1865–70; extra- + terrestrial

OTHER WORDS FROM extraterrestrial

ex·tra·ter·res·tri·al·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for extraterrestrial

British Dictionary definitions for extraterrestrial

extraterrestrial
/ (ˌɛkstrətɪˈrɛstrɪəl) /

adjective

occurring or existing beyond the earth's atmosphere

noun

(in science fiction) a being from beyond the earth's atmosphere

Scientific definitions for extraterrestrial

extraterrestrial
[ ĕk′strə-tə-rĕstrē-əl ]

Originating, located, or occurring outside the Earth or its atmosphere.

Cultural definitions for extraterrestrial

extraterrestrial
[ (ek-struh-tuh-res-tree-uhl) ]

A descriptive term for things outside the Earth, such as possible civilizations outside the solar system, or objects, such as meteorites, that actually reach the Earth.