extraterrestrial

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​tra·​ter·​res·​tri·​al ˌek-strə-tə-ˈre-strē-əl How to pronounce extraterrestrial (audio)
-ˈres-chəl, 
-ˈresh-chəl
: originating, existing, or occurring outside the earth or its atmosphere
extraterrestrial life

extraterrestrial

2 of 2

noun

: a being from another world : an extraterrestrial being

Examples of extraterrestrial in a Sentence

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.
Adjective
If such a future comes to fruition, Swope added, his hope is that such extraterrestrial colonies would be governed by rules reminiscent of Western ideals and democratic principles. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026 The puzzle of how to marry theology and extraterrestrial life predates the current surge in UAP disclosures. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
There’s been a lot of dialogue about the possibility that extraterrestrials have visited the earth or at least our atmosphere. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026 Some of those explanations may be straightforward—at least compared with extraterrestrials. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for extraterrestrial

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1848, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of extraterrestrial was in 1848

Rhymes for extraterrestrial

See All Rhymes for extraterrestrial

Browse Nearby Words

extratensive
extraterrestrial
extraterritorial
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extraterrestrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extraterrestrial. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

extraterrestrial

adjective
ex·​tra·​ter·​res·​tri·​al
ˌek-strə-tə-ˈres-trē-əl
: coming from or existing outside the earth or its atmosphere
extraterrestrial life
extraterrestrial noun

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Nglish: Translation of extraterrestrial for Spanish Speakers

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