First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1earth
noun \ˈərth\
: the planet on which we live
: land as opposed to the sea, the air, etc.
: the material in which plants grow
Full Definition of EARTH
1
: the fragmental material composing part of the surface of the globe; especially : cultivable soil
3
a : areas of land as distinguished from sea and air b : the solid footing formed of soil : ground
4
often capitalized : the planet on which we live that is third in order from the sun — see planet table
5
a : the people of the planet Earth b : the mortal human body c : the pursuits, interests, and pleasures of earthly life as distinguished from spiritual concerns
6
: the lair of a burrowing animal
7
: an excessive amount of money —used with the <real suede, which costs the earth to clean — Joanne Winship>
— earth·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
— on earth
—used as an intensive <to find out what on earth he was up to — Michael Holroyd>
See earth defined for English-language learners
See earth defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of EARTH
Middle English erthe, from Old English eorthe; akin to Old High German erda earth, Greek era
Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms
2earth
verb
Definition of EARTH
transitive verb
1
: to drive to hiding in the earth
2
: to draw soil about (plants) —often used with up
3
chiefly British : ground 3
intransitive verb
of a hunted animal : to hide in the ground
See earth defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of EARTH
1575
EARTH Defined for Kids
earth
noun \ˈərth\
Definition of EARTH for Kids
1
often cap : the planet that we live on
2
: land as distinguished from sea and air <Snow fell to earth.>
3
: 2soil 1 <a mound of earth>
Learn More About EARTH
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: earth almondPrevious Word in the Dictionary: ear–tagAll Words Near: earth
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up earth? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).