external
adjective
ex·ter·nal
| \ ek-ˈstər-nᵊl
\
\
Definition of external
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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
2a
: 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
3a(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
external
nounDefinition of external (Entry 2 of 2)
: something that is external: such as
a
: an outer part
b
: an external feature or aspect
—usually used in plural
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Other Words from external
Adjective
externally
\ ek-ˈstər-nᵊl-ē
\
adverb
\
adverb
Synonyms & Antonyms for external
Synonyms: Adjective
accidental, adventitious, alien, extraneous, extrinsic, foreign, supervenient
Antonyms: Adjective
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Examples of external in a Sentence
Adjective
the external features of the building the external signs of the diseaseRecent Examples on the Web: Adjective
To that end, a look at the 10 most impactful external free-agency moves, beyond those fully expected, from a Heat perspective: 1. — Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, "Winderman: Outside signings might prove more impactful to Heat | Commentary," 3 Aug. 2019 Expectations for the Longhorns, both internal and external, are considerable on the heels of a 10-win campaign and Sugar Bowl title. — Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, "Texas Longhorns: 5 things to watch," 1 Aug. 2019 For crocodiles, many fish, some lizards, and most turtles, those hormones in turn depend on external temperatures. — Katie Camero, Science | AAAS, "Turtle embryos may determine their own sex—by seeking the perfect temperature," 1 Aug. 2019 Several dryer models may come with a drying rack that stays put inside the machine as the drum revolves around it, acting like an external rack...only faster. — Brooke Kosofsky Glassberg, Good Housekeeping, "How Smart Moms Cut Down on Laundry Time," 1 Aug. 2019 EBay said the Amazon managers trained employees in how to create fake EBay accounts, told them which merchants to target and taught them how to craft external emails in a manner to elude detection. — Spencer Soperbloomberg, Los Angeles Times, "EBay accuses Amazon managers of conspiring to lure away its top sellers," 1 Aug. 2019 Passing suitably moist air through the inner cylinder causes that cylinder to accumulate electric charge, thus creating a potential difference between the cylinders which could be harnessed to drive a current through an external circuit. — The Economist, "How to wring power from the night air," 1 Aug. 2019 In those days, passengers descended planes on an external staircase and then walked on the tarmac to the terminal. — Longreads, "An Ocean Away From the Sanctuary of Manhattan, Signs of Peaceful Coexistence," 29 July 2019 In 1971, the Research & Analysis Wing, India’s external intelligence agency, was all over the Pakistanis. — Gopalaswami Parthasarathy, Quartz India, "What was it like to be a diplomat in Pakistan during the Kargil war: A former Indian envoy remembers," 28 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Information out to the Foundation, alumni and other externals, too. — Dawn Rhodes, chicagotribune.com, "Southern Illinois University president ousted amid swirling controversy," 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, "What's an oblique? Explaining the pesky strain that's keeping baseball players down," 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, "Samsung Notebook 9 Pen review: Stylus convenience, devoid of style," 4 Apr. 2018 The kind of love that isn’t based on externals, but on a deep connection within. — Paige Davis, Health.com, "Breast Cancer Stripped Me Down Physically and Emotionally—and Taught Me More Than I Ever Imagined About Love," 2 Apr. 2018 After a minute or so, the mind goes outward once again and attends to the externals. — Martin Seligman, BostonGlobe.com, "When the brain is off to sleep — but hard at work," 22 Mar. 2018 MEMBERS OF THE EXTERNAL EXPERT ADVISORY PANEL PETER HARVEY, Esq. — NOLA.com, "NFL suspends Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott for 6 games," 11 Aug. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'external.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for external
external
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of external
: located, seen, or used on the outside or surface of something
: coming from outside
: existing or occurring outside your mind
See the full definition for external in the English Language Learners Dictionary
external
adjective
ex·ter·nal
| \ ek-ˈstər-nᵊl
\
\
Kids Definition of external
: situated on or relating to the outside : outside