proper noun / noun
earth
The planet inhabited by humanity.
The earth travels around the sun once every year.
Etymology
The inherited word for ground or land expanded to name the world itself. As a planetary name, Earth identifies the whole body whose surface is our ground.
More examples
- From space, the earth looks mostly blue.
- The earth's atmosphere protects us from harmful radiation.
- She hopes for peace on earth, not just in heaven.
Forms
earth
earthly adjective — Belonging to this world rather than heaven.