external

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​ter·​nal ek-ˈstər-nᵊl How to pronounce external (audio)
1
a
: capable of being perceived outwardly
external signs of a disease
b(1)
: having merely the outward appearance of something : superficial
(2)
: not intrinsic or essential
external circumstances
2
a
: of, relating to, or connected with the outside or an outer part
the building's external features
b
: applied or applicable to the outside
a lotion for external use
3
a(1)
: situated outside, apart, or beyond
specifically : situated near or toward the surface of the body
(2)
: arising or acting from outside
an external force
b
: of or relating to dealings or relationships with foreign countries
c
: having existence independent of the mind
external reality
externally adverb

external

2 of 2

noun

: something that is external: such as
a
: an outer part
b
: an external feature or aspect
usually used in plural

Examples of external in a Sentence

Adjective the external features of the building the external signs of the disease
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Without this external pressure, Israeli leaders could cave to the influence of the rising far right and move to annex the West Bank, restore settlements in Gaza, or take other inflammatory steps that would worsen regional tension. Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, external debt owed to Paris Club creditors fell from 28% in 2006 to 11% in 2020. Emma Colton, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2024 Even beyond childhood, through touch sensations and tactile perceptions of temperature, texture and vibration transmitted to the brain, fingers are essential to how most people contact and interact with the external world throughout life. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 This tool looks at external factors that can lead people to slip back into harmful behaviors as well as their internal state. Allen Arthur, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2024 Nicole Judd has been elevated to associate producer, show development, contributing to the development/production of all Opry shows in addition to serving as a programming liaison for various internal and external teams. Marc Schneider, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024 The former players were quick to acknowledge external challenges facing Haase and the program, with NIL (name, image and likeness) and the transfer portal atop the list. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 Paramore entered into This Is Why with the goal of both internal and external interrogation. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2024 Furthermore, expressions don't always align with inner feelings, requiring external perception. Gillian Oakenfull, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
Alex’s first mistake is seeing in Henry the externals — the privilege. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Aug. 2023 And then inside formed the external of the costume. Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 24 Feb. 2023 Information out to the Foundation, alumni and other externals, too. Dawn Rhodes, chicagotribune.com, 13 July 2018 The externals extend upward from the hipbone to the ribs and spine, and the internals rise forward from the hip to ribs. Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2018 While the Notebook 9 Pen carries the high-end internals that would justify a $1,399 price tag, its externals don't match up. Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, 4 Apr. 2018 The kind of love that isn’t based on externals, but on a deep connection within. Paige Davis, Health.com, 2 Apr. 2018 After a minute or so, the mind goes outward once again and attends to the externals. Martin Seligman, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Mar. 2018 MEMBERS OF THE EXTERNAL EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL PETER HARVEY, Esq. NOLA.com, 11 Aug. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'external.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin externus external, from exter — more at exterior

First Known Use

Adjective

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

circa 1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of external was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near external

Cite this Entry

“External.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/external. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

external

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​ter·​nal ek-ˈstərn-ᵊl How to pronounce external (audio)
1
: outwardly visible
external signs of relief
2
a
: of, relating to, or connected with the outside or an outer part
the building's external features
b
: applied or applicable to the outside
for external use only
3
: arising or acting from outside
external pressures
4
: of or relating to relationships with foreign countries
external affairs
externally adverb

external

2 of 2 noun
: something external
usually used in plural

Medical Definition

external

adjective
ex·​ter·​nal ek-ˈstərn-ᵊl How to pronounce external (audio)
1
: capable of being perceived outwardly : bodily
external signs of a disease
2
a
: situated at, on, or near the outside
an external protective covering
an external muscle
b
: directed toward the outside : having an outside object
external perception
eyesight and the other external senses
c
: used by applying to the outside
an external lotion
3
a(1)
: situated near or toward the surface of the body
also : situated away from the mesial plane
the external condyle of the humerus
(2)
: arising or acting from outside : having an outside origin
external causes
external stimuli
b
: of, relating to, or consisting of something outside the mind : having existence independent of the mind
sensations aroused by external phenomena
external reality
externally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on external

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