external

Topic: EDUCATION

Date:	1500-1600
Language:	Latin
Origin:	externus, from exter 'on the outside', from ex 'out'

external
adjective

ex‧ter‧nal W2 See pronunciation table in "How to use dictionary" pages

relating to the outside of something or of a person's body [≠ internal]:

the external appearance of the building

For external use only (=written on medicines which must be put on your skin and not swallowed)

relating to your environment or situation, rather than to your own qualities, ideas etc:

Low birth weight may be caused by external factors, such as smoking during pregnancy.

influences from the external environment

coming from or happening outside a particular place or organization [≠ internal]:

information from external sources

relating to foreign countries [≠ internal]:

China will not tolerate any external interference in its affairs.

external affairs/relations

the Minister of External Affairs

SE British English coming from outside a particular school, university, or organization, and therefore independent [≠ internal]

external examination/examiner

external auditors (=someone from outside who looks at an organization's finances)

—externally adverb:

The job should be advertised internally and externally.

Definition of external from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English within
the topic EDUCATION