1. A small enclosure or closed container in which selected living plants and sometimes a vivarium for small land animals, such as turtles and lizards, are kept and observed in a simulated natural environment, as distinguished from an aquarium for aquatic animals: The teacher arranged for someone to take care of the terrarium during the holidays and to water the various plants which grew in it.
2. A sealed glass container often in the shape of a globe that is used for growing ornamental plants that require a high level of humidity: Dina's aunt had two large terraria in which she grew exotic plants in her solarium.
3. Etymology: from Latin terra, "earth" and modeled on aquarium; because it was designed as a place for land animals instead of water creatures.